Warning Quote by Mary MacLane
““This article is going to be very egotistical and MacLanesque and maybe somewhat shocking besides, so I strongly advise divers citizens of Butte not to read it. It occurs to me that some of the things I write do not agree with the constitutions of the said citizens - it seems to be bad for their livers - hence this preliminary note of warning. So now if you go right on and read it and it affects your liver unpleasantly, don't blame me.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “A Note of Warning” published in The New York Times, 1912
She humorously warns readers that her provocative writing may be harmful, mocking censorship and the idea of protecting readers from ideas.
In simple terms: Provocative writing can be unsettling; beware of censorship.
Key Takeaway
Read critically, question warnings.
Themes
freedom of expression
censorship
humor
Mood
witty
playful
Type
satire
personal essay
When to use this quote
- reading controversial essays
- media consumption
- public discourse
Key Concepts
literary critique
self-referential satire
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we sometimes want to shield ourselves from challenging ideas?
- How does humor affect the reception of controversial opinions?
A Different Perspective
The satire may downplay genuine concerns about harmful content.
