Books Quote by Joris-Karl Huysmans
““literature, in fact, had been concerned with virtues and vices of a perfectly healthy sort, the regular functioning of brains of a normal conformation, the practical reality of current ideas, with never a thought for morbid depravities and other-worldly aspirations; in short, the discoveries of these anaylists of human nature stopped short at the speculations good or bad, classified by the church; their efforts amounted to no more than the humdrum researches of a botanist who watches closely the expected development of ordinary flora planted in common or garden soil.””
About This Quote
Source Book: À Rebours (Against Nature) by Joris‑Karl Huysmans, 1884
Literature traditionally focused on everyday human behavior and practical ideas, avoiding extreme or supernatural topics, reflecting a conventional, church‑influenced view of human nature.
In simple terms: Literature once dealt with normal human life, not extreme or mystical themes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the limits of traditional perspectives.
Themes
literature
human nature
convention
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- literary analysis
- teaching
- publishing
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
cultural criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does focusing on the ordinary limit understanding?
- What value lies in exploring the extraordinary?
A Different Perspective
May overlook marginalized or radical voices.
![“Anthropocentric as [the gardener] may be, he recognizes that he is dependent for his health and survival on many other forms of life, so he is careful to take their interests into account in whatever he does. He is in fact a wilderness advocate of a certain kind. It is when he respects and…” quote by Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74b/michael-pollan-408_garden_anthropocentric-as-the-gardener-may-be-h_3049569.jpg)
