--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is not writing at all. Indeed, I…" description: "\"This is not writing at all. Indeed, I could say that Shakespeare surpasses literature altogether, if I knew what I meant.\" — Virginia Woolf" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/614/virginia-woolf-49_literature_this-is-not-writing-at-all-indeed-i-coul_895164.jpg" --- # This is not writing at all. Indeed, I could say that… ![“This is not writing at all. Indeed, I could say that Shakespeare surpasses literature altogether, if I knew what I meant.” quote by Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/614/virginia-woolf-49_literature_this-is-not-writing-at-all-indeed-i-coul_895164.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/614/virginia-woolf-49_literature_this-is-not-writing-at-all-indeed-i-coul_895164.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/614/virginia-woolf-49_literature_this-is-not-writing-at-all-indeed-i-coul_895164.jpg) > “This is not writing at all. Indeed, I could say that Shakespeare surpasses literature altogether, if I knew what I meant.” [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The statement dismisses the act of writing as trivial, paradoxically elevating Shakespeare as the ultimate benchmark, exposing a contradictory stance. **In simple terms:** Writing is dismissed, yet Shakespeare is praised. Key Takeaway Question what defines true literary value. Themes literature critique paradox Mood critical thought‑provoking Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - creative writing - literary criticism - academic study Key Concepts authorial intent canonical standards Questions to Reflect On - What makes a work surpass literature? - Is any single author the ultimate standard? A Different Perspective It overlooks the diversity of literary forms beyond Shakespeare. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Literature Altogether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature-altogether-1188965/) [Say Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-shakespeare-819507/) [Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare/) [Shakespeare Surpasses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare-surpasses-1188963/) [Surpasses Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surpasses-literature-1188964/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Most people say that Shakespeare rocked merely because most people say that Shakespeare rocked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/most-people-say-that-shakespeare-rocked-merely-because-most-people/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“At the top of the heap is poetry,at least as it used to be written.Nothing else goes far,nothing goes as deep n the blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-moore/at-the-top-of-the-heap-is-poetry-at-least-as-it-used-to-be-written/) [Jeffrey Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-moore/) > [“No one, not even Shakespeare, surpasses Milton in his command of the sound, the music, the weight and taste and texture of English words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/no-one-not-even-shakespeare-surpasses-milton-in-his-command-of-the/) [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) > [“I have always derived great comfort from William Shakespeare. 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