"Some writers confuse authenticity, which they ought always to aim at, with originality, which they should never bother about"

W. H. Auden challenges the common notion that originality is the ultimate goal of writers, suggesting instead that authenticity should be their primary pursuit. Authenticity refers to a writer’s commitment to express their genuine thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. It requires honesty, vulnerability, and a willingness to delve into personal truths. Auden’s viewpoint implies that when writers endeavor to be authentic, their unique voice naturally emerges through their engagement with language, experiences, and emotions.

On the contrary, the deliberate pursuit of originality can become a distraction or even a stumbling block. The need to be different for its own sake may pressure writers into artificiality. Rather than creating work that resonates on a deep level, they might produce contrived or superficial content that lacks emotional or intellectual sincerity. It is possible to become so preoccupied with avoiding clichés or emulating others that one’s writing loses its natural flow and potency.

Originality, when it occurs, usually arises not from conscious effort, but as a byproduct of authenticity. Each individual brings a distinct combination of background, sensibility, and imagination to the act of writing. When they faithfully express these elements, their work is distinguishable and memorable, not because it strives to be unlike anything else, but because nobody else could authentically reproduce it.

Auden’s argument encourages writers to trust themselves and embrace their own perspectives rather than measuring their merit against conventions of novelty. The pursuit of authenticity can be challenging, for it demands courage and self-awareness. Yet, this honesty is what ultimately inspires readers and gives writing its lasting value. Instead of obsessing over how to stand out, writers who focus on what is true for them will find their own form of originality, organic, inevitable, and meaningful.