“Boileau said that Kings, Gods and Heroes only were fit subjects for literature. The writer can only write about what he admires.”

—  John Steinbeck

Radio interview (1939) quoted in Introduction by Robert DeMott to a 1992 edition of The Grapes of Wrath
Context: Boileau said that Kings, Gods and Heroes only were fit subjects for literature. The writer can only write about what he admires. Present-day kings aren't very inspiring, the gods are on a vacation and about the only heroes left are the scientists and the poor … And since our race admires gallantry, the writer will deal with it where he finds it. He finds it in the struggling poor now.

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John Steinbeck 366
American writer 1902–1968

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