Accommodate Quote by Pankaj Mishra
“I think our conception of literature should accommodate not only apolitical writers but also those whose political opinions we find unpalatable. Fiction after all comes from a different, less rationally manipulable side of the brain. I am personally very attached to reactionary figures like Dostoyevsky, Hamsun, and Céline.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Politics of Literature, 2015
Literature should welcome works regardless of authors’ politics, as fiction taps a non‑rational part of the mind; even controversial writers can offer valuable insight.
In simple terms: Accept literature even if you dislike the author’s politics.
Key Takeaway
Read beyond politics.
Themes
literature
politics
art
ethics
subjectivity
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- academic curricula
- personal reading lists
- public discourse
Key Concepts
authorial intent
cognitive dissonance
cultural value
Questions to Reflect On
- Should we separate art from the artist?
- How do we handle works that promote harmful ideas?
A Different Perspective
Some readers may feel complicit endorsing harmful ideologies.
