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Attention Quote by Thomas C. Foster

“We sometimes hear of the death of literature or of this or that genre, but literature doesn't die, just as it doesn't 'progress' or 'decay.' It expands, it increases. When we feel that it has become stagnant or stale, that usually just means we ourselves are not paying sufficient attention.” quote by Thomas C. Foster
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““We sometimes hear of the death of literature or of this or that genre, but literature doesn't die, just as it doesn't 'progress' or 'decay.' It expands, it increases. When we feel that it has become stagnant or stale, that usually just means we ourselves are not paying sufficient attention.””

Thomas C. Foster

About This Quote

Source Book: How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster, 2003

Literature never dies; it merely changes form and grows, and perceived stagnation reflects the reader's neglect.

In simple terms: Literature changes, not dies.

Key Takeaway

Pay attention to notice growth.

Themes

literature change attention

Mood

reflective curious

Type

analytical observational

When to use this quote

  • teaching
  • writing workshops
  • book clubs
  • literary criticism

Key Concepts

cultural evolution reader engagement

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you stay engaged with evolving literature?
  • What signs show literature is expanding?
A Different Perspective

If readers ignore new works, they may think literature is stagnant.

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