Flannery-o-connor Quote by Truman Capote
““Flannery O'Connor had a certain genius. I don't think John Updike has, or Norman Mailer or William Styron, all of whom are talented, but they don't exceed themselves in any way. Norman Mailer thinks William Burroughs is a genius, which I think is ludicrous beyond words. I don't think William Burroughs has an ounce of talent.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary Critique, 1975
He praises Flannery O'Connor’s talent while dismissing others, calling some opinions absurd.
In simple terms: Flannery O'Connor is uniquely talented; other writers are overrated.
Key Takeaway
Recognize true literary genius.
Themes
literary criticism
author hierarchy
subjective taste
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
critical
opinion
When to use this quote
- book reviews
- author debates
- literary circles
- critical essays
Key Concepts
aesthetic judgment
cultural canon
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria define literary greatness?
- How do personal biases shape criticism?
A Different Perspective
Literary value is subjective, not absolute.
