Ends Quote by Randall Jarrell
“How can we expect novelists to be moral, when their trade forces them to treat every end they meet as no more than an imperfect means to a novel?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Moral of the Story", 1965
Novelists are compelled to prioritize narrative impact over moral clarity, making ethical perfection unrealistic.
In simple terms: Writers must balance story goals with moral concerns.
Key Takeaway
Recognize narrative limits on morality.
Themes
ethics
creativity
literature
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- literary criticism
- teaching writing
Key Concepts
moral relativism
artistic freedom
storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- Should authors prioritize truth over impact?
- How does market pressure shape ethics?
A Different Perspective
Moral expectations may stifle artistic honesty.
![“Early in his life Mr. [Ezra] Pound met with strong, continued, and unintelligent opposition. If people keep opposing you when you are right, you think them fools; and after a time, right or wrong, you think them fools simply because they oppose you. Similarly, you write true things or good things…” quote by Randall Jarrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a7/randall-jarrell-3811_ends_early-in-his-life-mr-ezra-pound-met-with_359433.jpg)
