“Decadence is a difficult word to use since it has become little more than a term of abuse applied by critics to anything they do not yet understand or which seems to differ from their moral concepts.”
- July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961
- American
- Novelist, poet, journalist
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954
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Quote
“Decadence is a difficult word to use since it has become little more than a term of abuse applied by critics to anything they do not yet understand or which seems to differ from their moral concepts.”
Explanation
Hemingway here critiques the way the term “decadence” has been weaponized by critics, suggesting that it has lost its original meaning and is now often used as a blanket condemnation for anything unfamiliar or uncomfortable to the critic. The term, in this context, refers not to a genuine moral decline but to a misunderstanding or rejection of new ideas, behaviors, or artistic movements that deviate from established norms. “Difficult” indicates that the word’s contemporary use has become a tool for dismissing complexity, and by labeling something as decadent, critics avoid engaging with it on a deeper level. Hemingway’s view points to a tendency to criticize things based on personal biases or outdated moral frameworks rather than a careful consideration of their worth or value.
Hemingway himself was frequently at odds with literary critics, particularly those who criticized his sparse and direct style of writing. His works were often seen as a break from the Victorian moral sensibilities that dominated much of the literature of his time. The modernist movement, to which Hemingway belonged, emphasized innovation, authenticity, and breaking with traditional forms, which many critics viewed as a decline in artistic standards. This quote reflects his frustration with how new artistic expressions were dismissed as “decadent” by those who were unable or unwilling to see beyond their own cultural limitations.
In today’s context, the quote speaks to the way cultural trends and new ideologies are often met with resistance and labeled as decadent or morally corrupt by conservative factions or those in positions of power. For example, modern movements in art, music, or politics that challenge traditional values—whether it’s progressive ideas about gender or the increasing embrace of digital art forms—can be disparaged as a “decadence” that is simply misunderstood by critics who are resistant to change. Hemingway’s statement thus invites us to reconsider the use of such labels and to approach new and unfamiliar ideas with greater understanding and openness.
