"Art is like baby shoes. When you coat them with gold, they can no longer be worn"

This quote by John Updike is a metaphor for how art can be appreciated and admired, however it can likewise be corrupted and ruined. Much like a set of child shoes, art can be beautiful and meaningful in its original kind. However, when it is covered with gold, it can no longer be used in the exact same way. The gold finish signifies how art can be misshaped and changed to the point where it is no longer recognizable or appreciated. It can be seen as a cautioning to not let greed and materialism eliminate from the beauty of art. Updike is advising us to appreciate art in its original kind and to not let it be corrupted by outdoors impacts.