ByQuotes

Brooks Atkinson Quotes

Powerful Brooks Atkinson for Daily Growth

About Brooks Atkinson

Brooks Atkinson (1894-1984), an American literary critic and Pulitzer Prize winner, was a significant figure in the world of arts and literature during the mid-20th century. Born on November 16, 1894, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Atkinson spent his formative years in Kansas City, Missouri, where he developed an early appreciation for theater and drama. After attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Atkinson moved to New York City to pursue a career in journalism. He began writing theater reviews for The Lincoln Star before joining The New York Times in 1924, where he would spend the next five decades as their chief drama critic. Atkinson's influence on American theater was profound. He championed groundbreaking works by authors such as Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller, helping to establish them as leading figures in contemporary drama. Atkinson's reviews were respected for their insightful analysis and incisive wit, earning him the nickname "Dean of American Critics." In 1936, Atkinson became the first American critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. He continued to shape the cultural landscape of America through his writings until his retirement in 1960. Post-retirement, he authored several books, including "The Green Pastures" (1927), a drama based on the sermons of Zora Neale Hurston, and "Broadway's Magic Kingdom: The Story of New York City's Great Theatres" (1964). Brooks Atkinson passed away on October 5, 1984, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence American theater and literary criticism. His enduring quotations like "the theatre is the most indispensable of all art forms because it is the only one which enlists our participation" encapsulate his belief in the power of theater to engage audiences and reflect society's concerns.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The theatre is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed."

This quote emphasizes the resilience and enduring nature of the theater as an art form, despite its long history spanning over 4000 years. The fact that it has persistently survived various changes, challenges, and periods, yet never fully disappearing or becoming obsolete, is a testament to its inherent value and significance in human culture. It suggests the theater's ability to adapt, innovate, and continuously evolve while maintaining its role as an essential medium for storytelling, self-expression, and community connection.

"Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist and it comes to the thing of greatest importance to the human soul: the search for truth and love and beauty."

Brooks Atkinson's quote suggests that great art originates from a profound personal exploration, reflecting an artist's quest for truth, love, and beauty, which are fundamental aspects of human experience. The creation of art serves as a means to express this inner journey, allowing others to share in the artist's discoveries and emotions.

"Art should simplify, and nothing should be allowed to interfere with its clarity."

This quote by Brooks Atkinson emphasizes the importance of simplicity in art. He suggests that the primary goal of any work of art is to communicate effectively and clearly. Anything that distracts from this clarity - complexities, unnecessary elements, or unrelated details - should be eliminated. The aim is to make the essence of the art accessible and impactful, so that it speaks directly to the audience without obstacles or distractions.

"The theatre is a sanctuary where society's ills are scrutinized, its virtues exalted, its secrets revealed, and its future projected."

This quote by Brooks Atkinson underscores the profound role of theater in society. It suggests that the theater is a sacred space where societal issues are critically examined, virtues are celebrated, hidden truths are exposed, and potential futures are envisioned. The theater, in essence, serves as a mirror reflecting society's flaws and strengths while encouraging introspection, empathy, and imagination among its audience.

"A work of art possesses neither an intrinsic moral nature nor an absolute esthetic quality: it is what it does to the spectator."

This quote emphasizes that the impact a work of art has on its observer, rather than any inherent qualities or morals, defines its essence. In other words, whether a piece of art is considered "good" or "moral" depends not on objective standards, but on how it affects individual viewers.

In every age 'the good old days' were a myth. No one ever thought they were good at the time. For every age has consisted of crises that seemed intolerable to the people who lived through them.

- Brooks Atkinson

Good, Through, Crises, Seemed

It seems not to have been written. It is the quintessence of life. It is the basic truth.

- Brooks Atkinson

Truth, Been, Written, Quintessence

The most fatal illusion is the narrow point of view. Since life is growth and motion, a fixed point of view kills anybody who has one.

- Brooks Atkinson

Point Of View, Motion, Point, Narrow

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.

- Brooks Atkinson

Silent, Go For It, Drop, Imperfect

People everywhere enjoy believing things that they know are not true. It spares them the ordeal of thinking for themselves and taking responsibility for what they know.

- Brooks Atkinson

Enjoy, Believing, Them, Spares

There is no joy so great as that of reporting that a good play has come to town.

- Brooks Atkinson

Joy, Play, Town, Reporting

Don't be condescending to unskilled labor. Try it for a half a day first.

- Brooks Atkinson

Try, Condescending, Half, Unskilled

It takes most men five years to recover from a college education, and to learn that poetry is as vital to thinking as knowledge.

- Brooks Atkinson

Education, College, Recover, Vital

After each war there is a little less democracy to save.

- Brooks Atkinson

War, Save, After, Democracy

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.