"A serious writer is not to be confounded with a solemn writer. A serious writer may be a hawk or a buzzard or even a popinjay, but a solemn writer is always a bloody owl"

In this quote, Ernest Hemingway compares two archetypes of authors: the "major" writer and the "solemn" author. The distinction underscores Hemingway's belief in the significance of credibility and the threats of pretentiousness in composing.

According to Hemingway, a "severe" writer is not specified by a somber tone or an overtly serious technique to composing. Instead, severity is about dedication, authenticity, and depth of insight. This kind of author might be likened to different birds-- a hawk, buzzard, and even a popinjay. Each of these birds represents different qualities: a hawk might represent sharpness and keen vision; a buzzard might indicate usefulness and patience; a popinjay suggests maybe a style for the colorful or flamboyant. The unifying style is that serious authors can possess a series of personalities and designs while staying real and dedicated to their craft.

On the other hand, Hemingway explains a "solemn" author as "a bloody owl", highlighting an unfavorable connotation. While owls are typically related to knowledge, Hemingway utilizes the term "bloody" to instill a sense of cynicism and perhaps mockery. The solemn author is represented as excessively earnest, burdened by their own self-importance, and possibly insincere. This type of author might rely too greatly on the appearance of depth instead of authentic engagement with their subject or audience.

Hemingway's point of view suggests that sincerity, not solemnity, lays the foundation for impactful writing. Major authors, much like the abovementioned birds, welcome their true nature, employing their distinct strengths and perspectives. On the other hand, solemn writers, consumed with the façade of significance, danger obscuring their real voice. Thus, Hemingway advocates for a method to writing that focuses on authenticity and withstands the temptation to conflate gravity with self-seriousness.