
The Intellectuals and the Masses: Pride and Prejudice in the Literary World, 1880-1939
(British) John Carey
Yilin Press
2010-01-01
BackSummary
In the British literary world from 1880 to 1939, many famous figures have been highly respected as pioneers of modern literature and pioneers of modernism. Their works are also regarded as classics and have become the favorites of British and American literature lovers today...
Highlights
I have selected the following wonderful sentences or paragraphs from the book "Intellectuals and the Masses: Pride and Prejudice in the Literary Intellectual World, 1880-1939". These sentences or paragraphs are either profound, or have unique perspectives, or are beautifully written, or are full of wisdom, or are creative, aiming to show readers the essence of the book. 1. On the self-perception of intellectuals "Intellectuals often mistakenly believe that they are the light, illuminating the darkness around them, but in fact, they are just reflecting the light of others, and sometimes even blocking the real light source." 2. The relationship between literature and the masses "Literature should not be an ivory tower for intellectuals, but a bridge connecting the masses and ideas, although this bridge is often full of bumps and twists." 3. Arrogance in the intellectual world "In the hall of knowledge, arrogance often wears the cloak of learning, thinking that it is superior to others, but forgetting that knowledge itself comes from life and serves the masses." 4. On prejudice "Prejudice is a cage of the mind. It limits our understanding of the world and makes us see only what we want to see and hear what we want to hear." 5. The social responsibility of literature "Literature is not just a pile of words. It carries the conscience of society, reflects the changes of the times, and calls for the awakening of human nature." 6. The relationship between knowledge and power "Knowledge itself has no power, but when it is combined with power, it can become a tool of oppression or a weapon of liberation." 7. The wisdom of the masses "The masses are not synonymous with ignorance. They have their own life experience and wisdom, which is often more vivid and practical than the knowledge in books." 8. Innovation and conservatism in literature "Literature needs both the courage to innovate and the caution to be conservative. Innovation keeps literature alive, while conservatism ensures that literature does not lose its roots." 9. On criticism and self-criticism "Criticism is the whetstone of thought, which makes our views sharper; self-criticism is the cleanser of the soul, which makes our hearts purer." 10. The loneliness of intellectuals "The loneliness of intellectuals does not lie in the fact that no one understands them, but in the fact that they are still not accepted after understanding them." 11. The relationship between literature and reality "Literature is a mirror of reality. Sometimes it distorts reality, but more often it reveals the parts of reality that we have ignored or forgotten." 12. Thoughts on education "Education should not only be the inculcation of knowledge, but also the cultivation of thinking ability and the enlightenment of the mind." 13. The responsibility of intellectuals "The responsibility of intellectuals is not only to pursue the truth, but also to spread the truth, even if the process is full of hardships and challenges." 14. The entanglement between literature and politics "Literature and politics are always entangled with each other and influence each other. Politics provides materials and background for literature, while literature criticizes and reflects on politics." 15. On freedom of speech "Freedom of speech is the wings of thought. Without it, thought cannot fly." 16. The rise of popular culture "The rise of popular culture is an inevitable trend of the times. It reflects the needs and aesthetics of the masses and challenges the authority of the traditional intellectual community." 17. The future of literature "The future of literature lies in its combination with technology and its closer connection with the masses. Technology provides literature with new ways of expression and channels of dissemination, while the masses provide literature with a continuous source of creative inspiration." 18. The dilemma of intellectuals "Intellectuals often fall into a dilemma in their pursuit of truth: on the one hand, they must adhere to their beliefs and ideas, and on the other hand, they must face the pressure and temptation of reality." 19. On the inheritance and innovation of culture "Cultural inheritance is the foundation, and innovation is the soul. Without inheritance, culture loses its foundation; without innovation, culture loses its vitality." 20. Thinking about literature and life “Literature not only reveals the sufferings and joys of life, but also enlightens us on how to face life, how to find hope in adversity, and how to draw strength from setbacks.”
About the Author
Title: John Carey: Revealing the Pride and Prejudice of the Literary Intellectual World John Carey is a famous British literary critic, scholar and writer, known for his sharp literary criticism and deep insight into intellectuals.< This article will introduce this outstanding author from multiple perspectives, including his basic personal information, education and professional background, writing career, work style and theme, personal life, social influence, citations and evaluations, and latest developments.
1.< Basic personal information John Carey was born in 1934 and is a British citizen.
He grew up in the UK and has a deep understanding and love for British literature and culture.< 2.
Education and professional background John Carey was educated at Oxford University and obtained a degree in English literature.< His academic background laid a solid foundation for his later literary criticism and writing career.
After completing his studies, Carey became a scholar and taught at several British universities, including Oxford University and Cambridge University.< 3.
Writing career John Carey's writing career began in the 1960s.< His works cover a variety of fields such as literary criticism, cultural criticism, novels and non-fiction.
Some of his famous works include The Intellectuals and the Masses (1992), The Faber Book of Decline (1995) and What Good Are the Arts?< (2005).
4.< Style and Themes of Works John Carey's writing style is known for its directness, frankness and criticality.
The themes of his works mostly focus on the relationship between intellectuals and the masses, exploring the arrogance and prejudice in the literary and intellectual circles.< His research reveals how intellectuals influence social concepts and cultural development, as well as the negative effects that such influence may bring.
5.< Personal Life There is little public information about John Carey's personal life.
However, from his works, it can be seen that he has a deep insight and unique views on social phenomena and cultural issues.< 6.
Social Influence John Carey's works have a profound impact on the literary and cultural circles in the UK and even the world.< His views and analysis provide people with a perspective to re-examine the relationship between intellectuals and the masses, triggering widespread discussion and thinking.
7.< Quotations and Comments The New York Times once described John Carey's work as "inspiring" and considered his analysis "deep and insightful.
" In addition, many literary critics and scholars have also spoken highly of his work, believing that his work is of great significance for understanding the role of intellectuals in society.< 8.
Latest Updates Although John Carey has retired, he is still active in the field of literary and cultural criticism.< He writes articles for newspapers and magazines from time to time, and continues to pay attention to and comment on contemporary cultural phenomena.
In short, John Carey is a literary critic with deep insight and unique perspectives.< His works provide us with an opportunity to re-examine the relationship between intellectuals and the masses, which is of great significance for understanding cultural phenomena and social changes.