The function of the hero in art is to inspire the reader or spectator to continue in the same spirit from where he, the hero, leav...es off. He must release the spectator's potentiality, for potentiality is the historic force behind nobility. And to do this the hero must be typical of the characters and class who at that time only need to be made aware of their heroic potentiality in order to be able to make their society juster and nobler. Bourgeois culture is no longer capable of producing heroes. On the highbrow level it only produces characters who are embodied consolations for defeat, and on the lowbrow level it produces idols--stars, TV "personalities," pin-ups. The function of the idol is the exact opposite to that of the hero. The idol is self-sufficient; the hero never is. The idol is so superficially desirable, spectacular, witty, happy that he or she merely supplies a context for fantasy and therefore, instead of inspiring, lulls. The idol is based on the appearance of perfection; but never on the striving towards it.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Most Americans are born drunk, and really require a little wine or beer to sober them. They have a sort of permanent intoxication ...from within, a sort of invisible champagne.... Americans do not need to drink to inspire them to do anything, though they do sometimes, I think, need a little for the deeper and more delicate purpose of teaching them how to do nothing.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Though taste, though genius bless To some divine excess,... Faint's the cold work till thou inspire the whole; What each, what all supply, May court, may charm our eye, Thou, only thou, canst raise the meeting soul!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
The old, subjective, stagnant, indolent and wretched life for woman has gone. She has as many resources as men, as many activities... beckon her on. As large possibilities swell and inspire her heart.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
This instinctive repulsion which tradespeople inspire in men of sensitive feeling is one of the very rare consolations for being s...o impoverished which are given to those of us who don't sell anything to anybody.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
The inspired scribbler always has the gift for gossip in our common usage ... he or she can always inspire the commonplace with an... uncommon flavor, and transform trivialities by some original grace or sympathy or humor or affection.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »