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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hellman attacks a female writer's work, claiming every word is false.
In plain terms
She says that specific writer lies in everything she writes.
What can you take from it?
Recognize when criticism turns into personal attack.

Where it applies

  • literary feud
  • reviewing
  • personal disputes

Putting it to work

  • writing criticism
  • conflict resolution
  • literary history

Questions to consider

  • When is criticism fair?
  • How do you judge truth in art?

Another view

This is subjective opinion rather than objective fact.

More from Lillian Hellman

  1. Today, when every form of perversion except masturbation and bestiality have been shown on the screen, Hellman, Wyler and the Mirisch Co. apparently thought a …

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  2. If someone had told me, don't say anything about Lillian Hellman because she'll sue you, it wouldn't have stopped me. It might have spurred me on.

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  3. You are reminded that this subject has a national reputation through her writings in which she has opposed nazism and fascism. Under no circumstances should it…

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