Quotes: Literary Criticism (2)

Literary criticism 57 "This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly; it should be thrown with great force." Dorothy Parker. Portable Curmudgeon.

Literary criticism 57 "Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original; and the part that is original is not good." Samuel Johnson. Portable Curmudgeon.

Literary criticism 73 Criticism is prejudice made credible. "Criticism is prejudice made plausible." H. L. Mencken. Portable Curmudgeon.

Literary criticism 318 The critic should not detract from the art because of the behavior of the artist. "...the critic should be able to recognize that the sphere of art and the sphere of ethics are absolutely distinct and separate." Oscar Wilde, “ ‘The True Critic’.” 1891. Gross, ed. Essays.

Literary criticism 338 The critic focuses on what is bad. "...criticism...acknowledges only varying shades of badness in everything." John Jay Chapman. “William James.” 1915. Gross, ed. Essays.

Literary criticism 70 You can't even enjoy a movie without his highfalutin' discussion on topics that are unrelated to the movie. "It was impossible to go to a movie with him without getting involved afterward in a discussion on empathy, Aristotle, universals, messages, and the obligation of the cinema as an art form in a materialistic society." Heller, Catch-22.

Literary criticism 286 If I read a book I have to review, I am influenced by my prejudices. "…Oscar Wilde’s facetious advice: I never read a book I must review; it prejudices you so." Manguel, A History of Reading.

Literary critics 72 Critics criticize artists for doing what they themselves cannot do. "Critics are like eunuchs in a harem: they know how it’s done, they’ve seen it done everyday, but they’re unable to do it themselves." Brendan Behan. Portable Curmudgeon.