If Henry Miller often sounded like a village idiot, it is because, like Whitman, he was the rest of the village as well.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that Henry Miller's unique voice resonates with the commonality of human experience, much like Walt Whitman.
Gore Vidal's quote highlights the notion that great authors often embody the collective thoughts and emotions of their era. By comparing Henry Miller to a 'village idiot,' it suggests that his unconventional opinions and style reflect a deeper truth that resonates with the universal human experience, akin to Walt Whitman's profound connection to the common man. This suggests that the simplicity or eccentricity of their expressions may reveal essential truths about society and individuality.
In practice
In a discussion about the value of authenticity in literature, you can use this quote to emphasize the importance of expressing genuine thoughts.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable.
And there we all were, as invisible as you could wish to see.
All real fantasy is serious. Only faked fantasy is not serious. That is why it is so wrong to impose faked fantasy on children.
[The Bill of Rights is] designed to protect individuals and minorities against the tyranny of the majority, but it's also designed to protect the people against bureaucracy, against the government.
Live as a villain, die as a hero
If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.
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