The writer is the person who stands outside society, independent of affiliation and independent of influence.
Don DelilloRead
It's no accident that my first novel was called Americana. This was a private declaration of independence, a statement of my intention to use the whole picture, the whole culture.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the author's desire to capture the entirety of culture in his work.
In this quote, Don DeLillo reflects on the significance of his first novel, 'Americana,' as more than just a title; it represents a personal commitment to showcase the complete American experience. By mentioning a 'private declaration of independence', he conveys his intention to explore and depict the rich tapestry of American culture in a holistic manner, rather than focusing on fragmented or superficial elements.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the significance of cultural representation in literature.
The writer is the person who stands outside society, independent of affiliation and independent of influence.
War is the form nostalgia takes when men are hard-pressed to say something good about their country.
American writers ought to stand and live in the margins, and be more dangerous.
For me, writing is a concentrated form of thinking.
I used to think it was possible for an artist to alter the inner life of the culture. Now bomb-makers and gunmen have taken that territory.
[I]n the American soul there is a lonely individual standing in a vast landscape. He is either on a horse or driving a car, depending, and either way he’s carrying a gun. This is one of the essential images in American mythology.
In some ways I believe music is the more convincing communicator of ideas than words. For instance, we can hear of Kordaly and Bartok and recognise them as Hungarian, but very few of us speak Hungarian, but the music itself speaks to more people.
People hide behind the word aesthetic. They say, ‘Well, it’s just that designer’s aesthetic.’ But when you see 18 seasons in a row and not one single model outside a certain skin color…? There are people in the industry who are advocates, who support diversity. And there are people who do not. I don’t get it. Beauty is universal. These doors have to open.
Every day look at a beautiful picture, read a beautiful poem, listen to some beautiful music, and if possible, say some reasonable thing.
I remember loving sound before I ever took a music lesson. And so we make our lives by what we love.
I say, 'If I had a serious brain injury I might well write a children's book', but otherwise the idea of being conscious of who you're directing the story to is anathema to me, because, in my view, fiction is freedom and any restraints on that are intolerable.
I have never followed fashion. What is fashion to me? I just think of things that inspire me, that inspire women, and I design that way.
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