Arrogance Quote by William Gaddis
““That's what it is, this arrogance, in this flamenco music this same arrogance of suffering, listen. The strength of it's what's so overpowering, the self-sufficiency that's so delicate and tender without an instant of sentimentality. With infinite pity, but refusing pity. It's a precision of suffering, he went on, abruptly working his hand in the air as though to shape it there, --the tremendous tension of violence all enclosed in a framework...in a pattern that doesn't pretend to any other level but its own, do you know what I mean? He barely glanced at her to see if she did.--It's the privacy, the exquisite sense of privacy about it, he said speaking more rapidly, --it's the sense of privacy that most popular expressions of suffering don't have, don't dare have, that's what makes it arrogant.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Recognitions” by William Gaddis, 1955
Arrogant suffering in art is a precise, private intensity that avoids sentimentality, creating a powerful, delicate tension.
In simple terms: Art can be intensely private and powerful without sentiment.
Key Takeaway
Value the raw, precise expression of pain.
Themes
art
suffering
pride
intimacy
Mood
intense
thoughtful
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- painting
- music composition
- performance
- creative criticism
Key Concepts
aesthetics
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can art be both arrogant and accessible?
- How does privacy shape artistic impact?
A Different Perspective
Such intensity may alienate audiences seeking comfort.
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