Appeals Quote by Philip Kitcher
“Mann and Joyce are very different, and yet their fiction often appeals to the same people: Harry Levin taught a famous course on Joyce, Proust, and Mann, and Joseph Campbell singled out Joyce and Mann as special favorites. To see them as offering "possibilities for living", as I do, isn't to identify any distinctive commonality. After all, many great authors would fall under that rubric.”
About This Quote
The quote contrasts Mann and Joyce, noting their differing styles yet shared appeal, and argues that seeing them as offering life possibilities is not a unique similarity but a broader literary pattern.
In simple terms: Mann and Joyce differ but attract similar readers; seeing them as life possibilities is a common view.
Key Takeaway
Recognize shared literary value without forcing a unique link.
Themes
literature
comparison
interpretation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
interpretive
When to use this quote
- academic courses
- book clubs
- personal reading choices
Key Concepts
authorial style
reader appeal
literary analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define “possibilities for living” in literature?
- What criteria make two authors comparable?
A Different Perspective
May overlook distinct thematic differences between authors.
