[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fso2RJ9Pu2rKyrB9D6ubk4Md6g1Jlo9oqlZc0M9nffow":3,"$fMTIzB3jW5ZMVmmuwgimLxka95_qtSi2n4lVLTK-mL0A":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},69920,"J.C. Hallman","J",4,null,"jc-hallman",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":77},[14,27,49,63],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},727628,"In the analysis of books, as in the analysis of complex world events, we hover between two kinds of error: ascribing too much meaning where there is little, if any, to be found, and ignoring meaning that stares us right in the face.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},3533440,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},17570,"literary-criticism",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":48},483976,"If literature is humanity at its absolute best, striving after the hard truths, straining to shed the egos that cripple nonliterary relationships, then books, the actual objects of books, are the physical expressions of the struggle to craft a better humanity. Entering the culture of books, even the culture of a single book--and every book is the culture of its audience--makes the world feel a little better, a little more true and welcoming.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33,38,43],{"id":34,"tag":35},2729343,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},52,"reading",{"id":39,"tag":40},2729337,{"id":41,"tag_name":42},177,"books",{"id":44,"tag":45},2729342,{"id":46,"tag_name":47},1841,"literature","**The Backstory**\n\nThis poignant reflection on literature and humanity is reminiscent of J.C. Hallman's era, which spanned from the 1960s to the early 2000s. As a poet, critic, and essayist, Hallman was deeply immersed in the literary scene, often grappling with the role of art in society and its potential for transcendence. His thoughts on literature as a reflection of humanity's aspirations towards truth and compassion would have resonated with intellectual circles during this time.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nWhat lies beneath Hallman's assertion is a profound paradox: that the pursuit of \"better humanity\" through literature involves embracing the imperfections and flaws inherent in both the art itself and its audience. The tension here is between the aspiration towards transcendence and the acknowledgement of our own limitations, which are mirrored in the cultural context of each book.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, a modern writer or artist can benefit from embracing their work as an imperfect reflection of humanity's ongoing struggle for self-improvement. By acknowledging that every creative endeavor is influenced by its audience and cultural context, one can approach their craft with humility and a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in crafting \"a better humanity.\"",{"id":50,"quote_text":51,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":9},471058,"Those who lead a literary life seem old when they're young and young when they're old, but they're never actually either. Like a good book, they are bound by neither category nor time.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[55,60],{"id":56,"tag":57},2668906,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},1739,"writers",{"id":61,"tag":62},2668905,{"id":46,"tag_name":47},{"id":64,"quote_text":65,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":66,"source":67,"quote_tag":68,"commentary":9},471033,"It's the obligation of all writers to shoulder up against the wall of the permissible and shove. Writers must shove no matter how large the obstacle and without concern for the strength of those pushing back from the other side. This shoving is made more difficult by the fact that those pushing back are very often the same shovers who moved the wall to where it now stands--they nudged it forward as far as they could stomach it, and cannot tolerate a millimeter more.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[69,74],{"id":70,"tag":71},2668784,{"id":72,"tag_name":73},60,"writing",{"id":75,"tag":76},2668783,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},{"currentPage":78,"totalPages":78,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":79},1,10]