Summary
This quote by American author John Steinbeck suggests that writers occupy a somewhat peculiar position in society. They are portrayed as being beneath clowns, who provide entertainment through humor, and yet also positioned above trained seals, which are objects of amusement and spectacle. Steinbeck implies that writers possess a unique mixture of creativity, intelligence, and skill that sets them apart from common performers, but their value is oftentimes not fully recognized or appreciated. This quote serves as an observation about the ambiguous status and sometimes undervalued role of writers in society.