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Literary critics, however, frequently suffer from a curious belief that every author longs to extend the boundaries of literary art, wants to explore new dimensions of the human spirit, and if he doesn't, he should be ashamed of himself.
Robertson Davies
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote critiques literary critics' assumptions about authors' motivations for innovation in literature.

Robertson Davies highlights a common misconception among literary critics who believe that all authors inherently desire to push the limits of literary expression. This assumption places undue pressure on writers, suggesting that those who do not conform to this expectation are somehow lacking in ambition or creativity. By bringing attention to this belief, Davies encourages readers to appreciate diverse approaches to writing, rather than adhering to a narrow definition of literary success.

Themes

LiteraryCriticsAuthorsCreativityArtExpectations

In practice

Example use cases

In a literary discussion about the pressures authors face, this quote could highlight the unrealistic expectations set by critics.

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The egotist is all surface; underneath is a pulpy mess and a lot of self-doubt. But the egoist may be yielding and even deferential in things he doesn't consider important; in anything that touches his core he is remorseless.
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The world is full of people whose notion of a satisfactory future is, in fact, a return to the idealized past.
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