They are all alike you know. They hold their tongues for years and you think you're safe, but when the opportunity comes they remember everything.
Edith WhartonRead
I have never known a novel that was good enough to be good in spite of its being adapted to the author's political views.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that a novel's quality can be compromised by the author's political agenda.
Edith Wharton's quote reflects the idea that when an author's political views dominate a narrative, it can detract from the overall quality of the novel. She implies that a truly great story should transcend the author's biases and resonate with readers on a more universal level, highlighting the potential conflict between art and ideology in literature.
Themes
LiteraturePoliticsQualityArtNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
During a book club discussion about the impact of an author's beliefs on their work.
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There are two ways to spread happiness; either be the light who shines it or be the mirror who reflects it.
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