Quote by John Cheever
The task of an American writer is not to describe the misgivings of a woman taken in adultery as she looks out of a window at the rain but to describe four hundred people under the lights reaching for a foul ball. This is ceremony.
Summary
This quote suggests that the role of an American writer is not to dwell on personal or intimate narratives, but rather to capture the larger collective experience of a nation. It highlights the importance of depicting ordinary events and communal rituals, such as a crowd of people reaching for a foul ball in a baseball game. The emphasis is on observing and conveying the ceremonies and shared moments that characterize American society, rather than individual introspection. It implies that American writers should focus on representing the broader cultural context rather than individual experiences.
Topics
Authors & Writing
By John Cheever
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