Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville
By and large the literature of a democracy will never exhibit the order, regularity, skill, and art characteristic of aristocratic literature; formal qualities will be neglected or actually despised. The style will often be strange, incorrect, overburdened, and loose, and almost always strong and bold. Writers will be more anxious to work quickly than to perfect details. Short works will be commoner than long books, wit than erudition, imagination than depth. There will be a rude and untutored vigor of thought with great variety and singular fecundity. Authors will strive to astonish more than to please, and to stir passions rather than to charm taste.
Summary
This quote suggests that literature in a democratic society will differ greatly from that of an aristocratic society. Democratic literature may lack the order, precision, and artistry found in aristocratic literature. Instead, it may exhibit a style that is peculiar, incorrect, and overloaded. However, it will often be characterized by strength and boldness. Writers in a democratic society may prioritize speed and brevity over attention to detail. They may prioritize wit, imagination, and variety over erudition and depth. The primary aim of democratic literature is to astonish and evoke strong emotions, rather than simply pleasing or appealing to refined tastes.
Topics
Books
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