Comic Quote by Stephen Dobyns
“For the past thirty years or so, much American poetry has been marked by an earnestness that rejects the comic. This has nothing to do with seriousness. The comic can be very serious. The trouble with the earnest is that it seeks to be commended. It seeks to be praised for its intention more than for what it is saying.”
About This Quote
Source Poetry anthology, 1990s
Earnest poetry seeks praise for intent, not content, limiting its impact.
In simple terms: Earnestness can become self‑serving.
Key Takeaway
Focus on substance over self‑approval.
Themes
authenticity
art
humor
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- art criticism
- personal expression
Key Concepts
literary criticism
creative writing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance sincerity with humility?
- When does earnestness hinder creativity?
A Different Perspective
Earnestness may become performative rather than genuine.
![“[Ridicule] laughs at all those who see the earnestness of life and who still believe in true feelings and in serious thought ... It soils the hope of youth. Only shameless vice is above its reach.” quote by Madame de Stael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/153/madame-de-stael-2069_believe_ridicule-laughs-at-all-those-who-see-the_131952.jpg)
![“I majored in English in college and that was my major in graduate school before switching to creative writing. I read a lot of [Charles] Dickens and [Anthony ] Trollope, but there was lots of stuff I hadn't read like Thackeray's "Vanity Fair," which is so well written and funny.” quote by Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/693/stephen-dobyns-13599_college_i-majored-in-english-in-college-and-that_1010174.jpg)
