"Every compulsion is put upon writers to become safe, polite, obedient, and sterile"

In this quote, Sinclair Lewis articulates a crucial perspective on the pressures dealt with by writers within societal and cultural structures. He asserts that there are many forces that force authors to conform to specific norms and expectations, which may eventually stifle their creativity and originality.

To analyze, Lewis appears to recommend that authors, who naturally operate as informative analysts and writers of human experience, are frequently subjected to external pressures that threaten to dilute their credibility. Being "safe" implies a tendency to prevent questionable or tough topics that may provoke criticism or reaction. "Polite" suggests a pressure to adhere to socially appropriate narratives, even if they compromise the raw truth or intricacy of the subject. "Obedient" reflects the expectation to align with dominant ideologies or institutional perspectives without questioning or critiquing them. Finally, "sterilized" indicates a loss of vibrancy and creativity, leading to work that does not have depth, passion, and life-- characteristics that are necessary for provoking idea and evoking psychological reactions.

These obsessions might originate from numerous sources: publishers who prefer commercially feasible material, social norms that shun dissenting voices, or the prevalent fear among writers themselves of alienation and censorship. Lewis's use of the word "put" indicates that these obsessions are external impositions instead of fundamental desires within the authors themselves.

Lewis's statement can also be viewed as a call for writers to withstand these pressures and strive for honesty and creativity in their work. This resistance is vital for cultural development, as literature has often been a catalyst for social change and knowledge. By comprehending and acknowledging these forces, authors can consciously choose to press against the restraints, promoting a richer and more diverse literary landscape.

In essence, Lewis prompts writers to be brave-- to embrace complexity, provoke thought, and incite change, therefore fulfilling their role as real artisans and independent thinkers in society.