Authority Quote by Norman Mailer
“I no longer gave a sick dog's drop for the wisdom, the reliability and the authority of the public's literary mind, those creeps and old ladies of vested reviewing.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1965
The author criticizes the dominance of established literary critics who claim authority without merit, likening them to untrustworthy caretakers.
In simple terms: Critics claim authority without real insight.
Key Takeaway
Question authority, seek diverse voices.
Themes
literary criticism
authority
trust
media
culture
Mood
skeptical
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- book reviews
- academic publishing
- online platforms
- media literacy
- public discourse
Key Concepts
elitism
gatekeeping
credibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate a critic’s credibility?
- What alternative sources can you trust?
A Different Perspective
Authority can be challenged by new, independent perspectives.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
