"A drama critic is a person who surprises the playwright by informing him what he meant"

This quote by Wilson Mizner is a funny way of stating that a drama critic is somebody who can translate the playwright's work in a manner in which the playwright might not have actually planned. It indicates that the critic can see the deeper significance of the playwright's work and can supply insight into the playwright's true intents. The quote also recommends that the critic can provide a distinct viewpoint on the playwright's work that the playwright may not have actually thought about. This quote is a tip that the critic's role is to provide an objective and informative analysis of the playwright's work, which the critic can frequently provide a valuable insight into the playwright's true intentions.