--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How can we expect novelists to be moral…" description: "\"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?\" — Ra..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/randall-jarrell-3811_ends_how-can-we-expect-novelists-to-be-moral_1359029.png" --- # How can we expect novelists to be moral, when their trade… ![“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?” quote by Randall Jarrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/randall-jarrell-3811_ends_how-can-we-expect-novelists-to-be-moral_1359029.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/randall-jarrell-3811_ends_how-can-we-expect-novelists-to-be-moral_1359029.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/randall-jarrell-3811_ends_how-can-we-expect-novelists-to-be-moral_1359029.png) > “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?” [Randall Jarrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-jarrell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Expect Novelists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-novelists-4645166/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Imperfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperfect/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-trade-4645165/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Novelists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelists/) [Novelists Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelists-moral-4274692/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) [Treats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treats/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [“People have many cruel expectations from writers. 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