QuoteProject
It perhaps might be said--if any one dared--that the most worthless literature of the world has been that which has been written by the men of one nation concerning the men of another.
Stephen Crane
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Crane critiques how literature often misrepresents other nations and cultures.

In this quote, Stephen Crane reflects on the idea that literature created by individuals about other nations can often lack authenticity and value, suggesting that such works fail to genuinely convey the realities of those outside one's own cultural experience. He implies that understanding and representing another culture requires more than mere observation; it necessitates a deeper engagement that is often absent in cross-national literary works, leading to misinterpretations and a devaluation of both the subject and the writer.

Themes

LiteratureCultureMisrepresentationUnderstandingAuthenticity

In practice

Example use cases

In a literary discussion about cross-cultural representation, this quote could highlight the importance of authentic voices.

More from Stephen Crane

When it came night, the white waves paced to and fro in the moonlight, and the wind brought the sound of the great sea's voice to the men on shore, and they felt that they could then be interpreters.
Stephen CraneRead
I saw a man pursuing the horizon
Stephen CraneRead
Two or three angels Came near to the earth. They saw a fat church. Little black streams of people Came and went in continually. And the angels were puzzled To know why the people went thus, And why they stayed so long within.
Stephen CraneRead
Sometimes, the most profound of awakenings come wrapped in the quietest of moments.
Stephen CraneRead
Tell her this And more,— That the king of the seas Weeps too, old, helpless man. The bustling fates Heap his hands with corpses Until he stands like a child With surplus of toys.
Stephen CraneRead
Over the river a golden ray of sun came through the hosts of leaden rain clouds.
Stephen CraneRead

Similar quotes

I think that what's unique about sci-fi - at least from the view of a lot of Chinese writers - is that sci-fi is least-rooted in the particular culture that they're writing from.
Ken LiuRead
A people's literature is the great textbook for real knowledge of them. The writings of the day show the quality of the people as no historical reconstruction can.
Edith HamiltonRead
Before I'm a writer, I'm definitely a reader and when I read memoir, I really want it to be true.
Augusten BurroughsRead
To whom do I give my new elegant little book? Cui dono lepidum novum libellum?
CatullusRead
Ah yes, the paradox of publicity is that even as we do it, we know it's killing off the chance of another reader happening across our book in the ideal state of innocence.
Emma DonoghueRead
Most American writers don't get asked their opinion on current affairs, whereas in Europe and England, we still do. There are writers here who are the most sophisticated commentators, but they're not asked. Like Don DeLillo, who sort of forecast most of the modern world before it happened.
Salman RushdieRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.