Famous quote by Flannery O'Connor

"Everywhere I go, I'm asked if I think the universities stifle writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them. There's many a best seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher"

About this Quote

Flannery O'Connor's quote provides a sardonic commentary on the role of universities in the cultivation of writers and, by extension, the literary quality of released work. Initially glimpse, her words appear to express a paradoxical desire for academic organizations to suppress, instead of nurture, budding authors. This intriguing declaration suggests that there are too many individuals trying to write who perhaps lack the requisite skill, ability, or special point of view necessary to contribute meaningfully to the literary world.

O'Connor utilizes the idea of "stifling" deliberately, indicating that a more rigorous, possibly even ruthless, method might benefit the literary landscape. Her assertion that "numerous a best seller could have been avoided by a great teacher" suggests that commercial success does not constantly correspond to literary quality. Bestsellers, in her view, might typically be works that accomplish popularity without always offering depth, development, or the capacity for enduring significance.

The humor underlying her remark may also show a review of modern publishing patterns, where marketability often overshadows literary merit. O'Connor's words can be viewed as a lament for a lost standard of excellence, where the craft of composing is concerned less with mass appeal and more with artistic integrity and intellectual challenge.

Additionally, O'Connor's remark welcomes reflection on the function of educators in shaping the writers of the future. A "good instructor" in her view, might be one who presses trainees to reach greater standards or helps them comprehend the nature of quality writing, possibly preventing the pursuit of a writing career for those who lack the needed commitment or talent.

In essence, O'Connor champions a literary world where important mentorship filters through prospective writers, allowing just the most figured out, gifted, and ingenious voices to be heard. Her quote functions as a require a cautious nurturing of authors-- not by multiplying their numbers, but by challenging and improving their capabilities.

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USA Flag This quote is written / told by Flannery O'Connor between March 25, 1925 and August 3, 1964. He/she was a famous Author from USA. The author also have 23 other quotes.
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