Quote by Mary McCarthy

A society person who is enthusiastic about modern painting or Truman Capote is already half a traitor to his class. It is middle-class people who, quite mistakenly, imagine that a lively pursuit of the latest in reading and painting will advance their status in the world.

A society person who is enthusiastic about modern painting o

Summary

This quote suggests that individuals from high society who show an interest in modern art or writers like Truman Capote are seen as betraying their own class. The quote highlights the belief that it is the middle-class who mistakenly think that embracing contemporary cultural trends can elevate their social standing. It implies that the upper class perceives such enthusiasm as an act of disloyalty to their own privileged group. In this explanation, the quote primarily addresses the dynamics of social class and the judgments associated with cultural preferences.

Topics

Culture

By Mary McCarthy

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