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E. L. Doctorow Quotes

Author

E. L. Doctorow was an American author renowned for his historical novels. His works often use the backdrop of American history to delve into the complexities of human nature. Born on January 6, 1931, Doctorow passed away on July 21, 2015.

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Famous E. L. Doctorow Quotes

“It was evident to him that the world composed and recomposed itself constantly in an endless process of dissatisfaction.”

World Process Endless Evident Dissatisfaction Ragtime

Book:Ragtime: A Novel

Source: Ragtime: A Novel

“Because like all whores you value propriety. You are creature of capitalism, the ethics of which are so totally corrupt and hypocritical that your beauty is no more than the beauty of gold, which is to say false and cold and useless.”

Values Cold Creatures Ethics Capitalism Gold Useless Propriety Hypocritical Ragtime

Book:Ragtime, The March, and Homer & Langley: Three Bestselling Novels

Source: Ragtime, The March, and Homer & Langley: Three Bestselling Novels

“I am often asked the question How can the masses permit themselves to be exploited by the few. The answer is By being persuaded to identify with them.”

Answers Mass Permit Ragtime

Book:Ragtime: A Novel

Source: Ragtime: A Novel

“The historian will tell you what happened. The novelist will tell you what it felt like.”

Felt Happened Novelists Historian Ragtime

Author:E. L. Doctorow

“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.”

Writing Form Acceptable Journal Writing Advice Writers And Writing Fiction Writers Schizophrenia Written Word Writing By Writers Great Writing Inspiring Writing Ragtime Writing And Thinking Personal Writing

Author:E. L. Doctorow

“Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.”

“The writer isn't made in a vacuum. Writers are witnesses. The reason we need writers is because we need witnesses to this terrifying century.”

Needs Writing Made Reason Century Scary Witness Vacuums Ragtime

Author:E. L. Doctorow

“Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”

“It proposed that human beings, by the act of making witness, warranted times and places for their existence other than the time and place they were living through.”

Humans Human Beings Existence Witness Ragtime

Book:Ragtime, The March, and Homer & Langley: Three Bestselling Novels

Source: Ragtime, The March, and Homer & Langley: Three Bestselling Novels

About the Author

Born: January 6, 1931
Died: July 21, 2015
Known for: Author
Quotes: 99

Books & Sources

Homer & Langley: A NovelRelated source material

Jack London, Hemingway, and the Constitution:: Selected Essays, 1977-1992Related source material

The Book of Daniel: A NovelRelated source material

Loon Lake: A NovelRelated source material

Ragtime: A NovelRelated source material

Conversations with E.L. DoctorowRelated source material

Jack London, Hemingway, and the Constitution: Selected Essays, 1977-1992Related source material

Ragtime, The March, and Homer & Langley: Three Bestselling NovelsRelated source material

Creationists: Selected Essays, 1993-2006Related source material

World's Fair: A NovelRelated source material

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