It is wrong to be harsh with the New York critics, unless one admits in the same breath that it is a condition of their existence that they should write entertainingly about something which is rarely worth writing about at all.
Interpretation
Criticism often revolves around the subject being critiqued, suggesting that critics must entertain even when the topic lacks merit.
In this quote, Raymond Chandler addresses the nature of criticism, particularly from New York critics, implying that their harshness is overshadowed by the necessity to engage the audience despite the potentially lackluster quality of the subjects they critique. He highlights a paradox in the world of criticism, where entertainment value often takes precedence over substantive content, leading to a strange coexistence of quality and the requirement to captivate readers.
In practice
During a panel discussion about literature, one might refer to this quote when talking about the role of critics in the industry.
Undoubtedly the stories about them [hard-boiled detectives] had a fantastic element. Such things happened, but not so rapidly, nor to so close-knit a group of people, nor within so narrow a frame of logic. This was inevitable because the demand was for constant action; if you stopped to think you were lost. When in doubt, have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand.
There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge.
Organized crime is the dirty side of the sharp dollar.
When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand.
The flood of print has turned reading into a process of gulping rather than savoring.
If my books had been any worse, I should not have been invited to Hollywood, and if they had been any better, I should not have come.
No philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses.
Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?' To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.' The dog did nothing in the night-time.' That was the curious incident,' remarked Sherlock Holmes.
Pleasant it is, when over a great sea the winds trouble the waters, to gaze from shore upon another's great tribulation: not because any man's troubles are a delectable joy, but because to perceive from what ills you are free yourself is pleasant.
I don't think you should have to try to be nice, I think most people are nice. I think being cheerful and nice is just a politeness.
Political chaos is connected with the decay of language... one can probably bring about some improvement by starting at the verbal end.
Every one knows that the exercise of military power is forever dangerous to civil rights; and we have had recent instances of violences that have been offer'd to private subjects.
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