Most go to prison not on account of their irreducible uniqueness as people but because they are part of a marginalized sector of the population who never had a chance, who were slated for it early on.
Rachel KushnerRead
I am just getting into Zora Neale Hurston, who is possibly a much better writer than the critics and rivals who tried to erase her from history, resulting in a life in which she worked as a maid and died in a welfare nursing home. She's clever. She does something modern to the sentence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights Zora Neale Hurston's literary brilliance and the historical neglect she faced as an artist.
Rachel Kushner's quote reflects on the significant yet often overlooked contributions of Zora Neale Hurston to literature. It emphasizes the irony of her talent being overshadowed by critics and rivals who attempted to erase her legacy, culminating in a life that fell short of the recognition she deserved. Kushner acknowledges Hurston's modern style and cleverness, asserting the importance of acknowledging and celebrating such artists in our history.
Themes
Zora Neale HurstonLiteratureCreativityLegacyRecognitionArtistic Brilliance
In practice
Example use cases
During a literary discussion on the impact of marginalized voices in art.
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All quotes βMaking art was really about the problem of the soul, of losing it. It was a technique for inhabiting the world. For not dissolving into it.
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