“Young Castle called me "Scoop." "Good Morning, Scoop. What's new in the word game?""I might ask the same of you," I replied."I'm thinking of calling a general strike of all writers until mankind finally comes to its senses. Would you support it?""Do writers have a right to strike? That would be like the police or the firemen walking out.""Or the college professors.""Or the college professors," I agreed. I shook my head. "No, I don't think my conscience would let me support a strike like that. When a man becomes a writer, I think he takes a sacred obligation to produce beauty and enlightenment and comfort at top speed.""I just can't help thinking what a real shake up it would give people if, all of a sudden, there were no new books, new plays, new histories, new poems...""And how proud would you be when people started dying like flies?" I demanded."They'd die more like mad dogs, I think--snarling & snapping at each other & biting their own tails."I turned to Castle the elder. "Sir, how does a man die when he's deprived of the consolation of literature?""In one of two ways," he said, "petrescence of the heart or atrophy of the nervous system.""Neither one very pleasant, I expect," I suggested."No," said Castle the elder. "For the love of God, both of you, please keep writing!”
Analysis:
This quote from Kurt Vonnegut's "Letters" explores the idea of the importance of literature and the arts in society. The conversation revolves around the idea of writers going on strike and the potential consequences of a world without new books or creative works. Vonnegut's characters emphasize the role of writers in providing beauty, enlightenment, and comfort to society. The quote ultimately highlights the essential nature of literature in bringing solace and meaning to people's lives.
Modern Relevance of Kurt Vonnegut's Words
In this dialogue between characters in Kurt Vonnegut's work, the importance of literature and the arts is highlighted as essential for the well-being of society. The idea of a writer's strike causing chaos and despair among the population resonates with the power of storytelling and creativity in today's world. The conversation serves as a reminder of the impact that art and literature have on our lives and the collective human experience, emphasizing the need to continue creating and consuming meaningful content.
Example of Usage
In this passage from Kurt Vonnegut's work, the characters discuss the idea of writers going on strike and the impact it would have on society. Castle the elder emphasizes the importance of literature in providing comfort and enlightenment to people. This conversation highlights the power of writing and the responsibility writers have to continue creating despite any obstacles they may face.
Reflection Questions:
In this thought-provoking dialogue between writers, the importance of literature and its impact on society is highlighted. As you consider the questions raised by Vonnegut's characters, reflect on the following:
How do you view the role of writers in society? Do you agree with the idea that writers have a sacred obligation to produce beauty, enlightenment, and comfort?
What do you think would happen if there were no new books, plays, histories, or poems being created? How would society be affected?
In what ways does literature provide consolation to individuals? Have you ever experienced the comfort and enlightenment that comes from reading a piece of literature?
How do you interpret the two ways in which Castle the elder describes a person's death when deprived of literature (petrescence of the heart or atrophy of the nervous system)? Do you agree with these descriptions?
What are your thoughts on the idea of a general strike of writers? Do you believe writers have the right to strike, or do you think their duty to create should take precedence?
As you ponder these questions, consider the impact that literature has had on your own life and the importance of continuing to create and support the arts in society.
Similar quotes
“I just can't help thinking what a real shake up it would give people if, all of a sudden, there were no new books, new plays, new histories, new poems..." And how proud would you be when people started dying like flies?" I demanded. They'd die more like mad dogs, I think--snarling & snapping at each other & biting their own tails." I turned to Castle the elder. "Sir, how does a man die when he's deprived of the consolation of literature?" In one of two ways," he said, "petrescence of the heart or atrophy of the nervous system." Neither one very pleasant, I expect," I suggested. No," said Castle the elder. "For the love of God, both of you, please keep writing!”
“When a man becomes a writer, I think he takes on a sacred obligation to produce beauty and enlighenment and comfort at top speed”
“When I asked him for some explanation as to why he wanted to kill me, he said it was because he didn't like his jobs. When I asked him since when had he not liked his jobs, he said since always. When I remarked that he had never told me this, and that I had gotten the impression that he had liked them, he said: "How is that possible? You know me. Do I strike you as stupid or boring?""No.""Then how could you think I would enjoy being an etiquette expert, or a Weight Watchers' counselor, or a stripper? How could you think that someone like me, with my mind, my character, would derive any satisfaction from those things?”
“In places where a loved one has died, time stops for eternity. If I stand on the very spot, one says to oneself, like a prayer, might I feel the pain he felt? They say that on a visit to an old castle or whatever, the history of the place, the presence of people who walked there many years ago, can be felt in the body. Before, when I heard things like that, I would think, what are they talking about? But i felt I understood it now.”
“This is what reading is like to me. It's finding a spring in the midst of a barren land. Just when I think I might up and die of thirst, I stumble onto this fresh, cold water, and I'm suddenly given this new life because I can-and do-drink to my heart's content.”