"America is supposed to be given over to ugliness. There are a good many ugly things there and the ugliest are the most pretentious"

Goldwin Smith's quote suggests that America is not measuring up to its potential. He believes that the country is overrun with ugliness, which the ugliest things are the most pompous. This might be interpreted as a criticism of the American culture of materialism and consumerism, where individuals are judged by their possessions and status. Smith is suggesting that the concentrate on material wealth has actually caused a decrease in the appeal of the nation, and that the most pretentious individuals are the ugliest. He is also indicating that the pursuit of wealth has actually triggered individuals to forget the significance of charm and culture. Smith's quote is a suggestion that beauty must be valued and valued, which it must not be overshadowed by the pursuit of wealth.