Nonconformity

1. Nonconformity is Essential for Authentic Writing

The heart’s only country is the earth of Man.

Authenticity through defiance. True art demands a rejection of societal pressures and conformity. Writers must resist the urge to create works that merely appease or reinforce existing power structures. Instead, they should strive to explore the complexities and contradictions of the human experience, even if it means challenging conventional wisdom.

Resisting tribal pressures:

• Conformity stifles creativity
• Authenticity requires courage
• The heart knows no boundaries

Examples of nonconforming writers:

• Dreiser
• Mencken
• Sinclair Lewis

By embracing nonconformity, writers can tap into a deeper well of truth and create works that resonate with readers on a profound level.

2. Fear Undermines Creativity

He must teach himself that the basest of all things is to be afraid.

Fear's corrosive effect. Fear, especially the fear of social or political repercussions, can paralyze a writer's ability to create meaningful work. When artists prioritize safety and acceptance over truth, their art becomes diluted and ultimately loses its power.

Overcoming fear:

• Embrace risk-taking
• Prioritize truth over comfort
• Find strength in vulnerability

Examples of artists who succumbed to fear:

• Elia Kazan
• Jose Ferrer
• Maxwell Anderson

To create truly impactful art, writers must confront their fears and be willing to challenge the status quo, even when it's uncomfortable or unpopular.

3. The Writer's Duty is to Side with the Accused

Zola nevertheless is right, because the business of writers is not to accuse, not to persecute, but to side even with the guilty, once they are condemned and suffer punishment.

Championing the marginalized. Writers have a moral obligation to defend the accused and the marginalized, even when society condemns them. This doesn't necessarily mean condoning their actions, but rather understanding the circumstances that led them to those actions and giving them a voice.

The writer as advocate:

• Give voice to the voiceless
• Challenge societal prejudices
• Offer empathy and understanding

Examples of writers who championed the accused:

• Émile Zola
• Fyodor Dostoevsky

By siding with the accused, writers can challenge societal prejudices and offer a more nuanced understanding of human behavior.

4. American Society Often Values Conformity Over Individuality

Babbitt has risen from the dust of the twenties, his fingers fit the levers of power and the lid is off on the price of nonconformity.

Pressure to conform. American society often prioritizes conformity and material success over individuality and artistic expression. This pressure can stifle creativity and lead writers to compromise their artistic vision in pursuit of fame and fortune.

Conformity's consequences:

• Stifled creativity
• Compromised artistic vision
• Loss of authenticity

Examples of societal pressures:

• Economic boycotts
• Academic restrictions
• Mob-mindedness

To resist these pressures, writers must cultivate a strong sense of self and be willing to prioritize their artistic integrity over societal approval.

5. The Allure and Trap of Materialism

It is because of the abstract climate in which they live that the importance of money is so disproportionate.

Materialism's emptiness. The pursuit of wealth and material possessions can be a hollow and ultimately unfulfilling endeavor. Writers who prioritize material success over artistic expression risk losing their connection to the deeper truths that make their work meaningful.

Materialism's pitfalls:

• Spiritual desolation
• Loss of purpose
• Inability to connect with others

Examples of materialism's allure:

• The "American Dream"
• The pursuit of comfort
• The desire for social status

To avoid this trap, writers must cultivate a sense of purpose that transcends material concerns and focus on creating work that has lasting value.

6. The Plight of the Displaced and Disinherited

They are not the disinherited: they are those who have disinherited their own selves.

The forgotten multitudes. Society often overlooks the plight of the displaced and disinherited, those who live on the margins and are forgotten by the mainstream. Writers have a responsibility to shine a light on these forgotten lives and give voice to their struggles.

The displaced and disinherited:

• The homeless
• The addicted
• The mentally ill

Examples of their struggles:

• Poverty
• Loneliness
• Lack of opportunity

By giving voice to the displaced and disinherited, writers can challenge societal indifference and promote empathy and understanding.

7. The Writer Must Risk Obsession

Obsession remains the price of creation and the writer who declines that risk will come up with nothing more creative than The Foxes of Harrow or Mrs. Parkington.

The necessity of obsession. True artistic creation demands a willingness to become fully immersed in one's subject matter, even to the point of obsession. Writers must be willing to explore the darkest corners of the human experience and confront uncomfortable truths.

Obsession's rewards:

• Authenticity
• Depth
• Resonance

Examples of writers who embraced obsession:

• Rimbaud
• Dostoevsky

By embracing obsession, writers can tap into a deeper level of understanding and create works that are both powerful and transformative.

8. The Writer's Role is to Report Truth, Not Just Comfort

The function of the writer in the States as well is to champion the accused.

Truth over comfort. Writers have a responsibility to report the truth, even when it's unpopular or uncomfortable. This means challenging societal norms, exposing injustice, and giving voice to the marginalized.

The writer as truth-teller:

• Challenge societal norms
• Expose injustice
• Give voice to the marginalized

Examples of writers who prioritized truth:

• Mark Twain
• Walt Whitman

By prioritizing truth over comfort, writers can contribute to a more just and equitable society.

9. The Importance of Compassion and Vindictiveness in Art

A certain ruthlessness and a sense of alienation from society is as essential to creative writing as it is to armed robbery.

The duality of art. Creative writing requires both compassion and vindictiveness. Compassion allows the writer to empathize with their characters and understand their motivations, while vindictiveness provides the necessary edge to challenge societal norms and expose injustice.

The balance of emotions:

• Compassion for understanding
• Vindictiveness for challenging
• Alienation for perspective

Examples of writers who balanced these emotions:

• Céline
• Genet
• Dorothy Parker

By embracing both compassion and vindictiveness, writers can create works that are both emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating.

10. The Writer's Path Often Leads to Victimization

Thinking of Poe and Fitzgerald, Hart Crane and Vachel Lindsay, Lafcadio Hearn and George Sterling, it would seem there is no way of becoming such a writer without becoming a victim.

The cost of art. The pursuit of artistic truth can be a difficult and often painful journey. Writers may face social isolation, financial hardship, and even mental breakdown as they grapple with the complexities of the human experience.

The writer as victim:

• Social isolation
• Financial hardship
• Mental breakdown

Examples of writers who suffered:

• Poe
• Fitzgerald
• Hart Crane

Despite these challenges, writers must persevere in their pursuit of truth, knowing that their work can have a lasting impact on the world.

Last updated: April 11, 2025