The lowest hacks of literature

Posted by ESC on May 05, 2003

In Reply to: The lowest hacks of literature posted by Mei on May 04, 2003

: Hi,

: I am struggling with the brackedted sentences. Could anybody help me?

:
: In France the best thinkers and writers of he nation write in the journals and direct public opinions; but British daily and weekly writers are the lowest hacks of literature which, (when it is a trade, is the vilest and most degrading of all trades because more of affectation and hypocrisy and more subservience to the baser feelings of others are necessay for carying it on, than for any other trade, from that of the brothel-keeper up.)

: Thanks a lot.

From Merriam-Webster online at www.merriam-webster.com/ netdict.htm

3 a : a person who works solely for mercenary reasons : HIRELING b : a writer who works on order; also : a writer who aims solely for commercial success

I'm not sure what the writer is saying -- if a person gets paid for it, it's not any good? Writers who are trying to write so the masses will buy wind up pandering to the lowest common denominator.

• The lowest hacks of literature Dirk 05/05/03