Quotes #3 - Sinclair Lewis
Sinclair Lewis is one of the authors at the top of my reading list for this winter break. He won the Pulitzer for Arrowsmith in 1926, and turned it down saying, "Every compulsion is put upon writers to become safe, polite, obedient, and sterile. In protest ... I must decline the Pulitzer Prize."
Later he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1930, which he reluctantly accepted. In his Nobel speech he said, "Fortune has dealt with me rather too well. I have known little struggle, not much poverty, many generosities. Now and then I have, for my books or myself, been somewhat warmly denounced - there was one good pastor in California who upon reading my Elmer Gantry desired to lead a mob and lynch me, while another holy man in the state of Maine wondered if there was no respectable and righteous way of putting me in jail. ... But if I have now and then received such cheering brickbats, still I, who have heaved a good many bricks myself, would be fatuous not to expect a fair number in return."
What can I say, I like the guy's style.
Other quotes I found notable:
"Our American professors like their literature clear and cold and pure and very dead."
"The trouble with this country is that there are too many people going about saying, "The trouble with this country is...""
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
"Intellectually, I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country."
Later he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1930, which he reluctantly accepted. In his Nobel speech he said, "Fortune has dealt with me rather too well. I have known little struggle, not much poverty, many generosities. Now and then I have, for my books or myself, been somewhat warmly denounced - there was one good pastor in California who upon reading my Elmer Gantry desired to lead a mob and lynch me, while another holy man in the state of Maine wondered if there was no respectable and righteous way of putting me in jail. ... But if I have now and then received such cheering brickbats, still I, who have heaved a good many bricks myself, would be fatuous not to expect a fair number in return."
What can I say, I like the guy's style.
Other quotes I found notable:
"Our American professors like their literature clear and cold and pure and very dead."
"The trouble with this country is that there are too many people going about saying, "The trouble with this country is...""
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
"Intellectually, I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country."