Meaning: This quote by John Dos Passos provides insight into the mindset and purpose of a satirist. Dos Passos, a prominent novelist and social commentator, suggests that a satirist is driven by a deep discomfort with the negative and absurd elements of society and feels compelled to express them in a raw and unfiltered manner. The quote highlights the satirist's need for catharsis and their willingness to confront uncomfortable truths through their work.

Dos Passos' description of a satirist as someone whose "flesh creeps" at the unsightly and discordant aspects of society emphasizes the visceral and deeply personal nature of their reaction. It suggests that the satirist's response is not merely intellectual or detached but rather rooted in a profound emotional and physical discomfort with the state of the world. This intense reaction serves as the impetus for the satirist to confront and expose these aspects of society.

Furthermore, Dos Passos suggests that the satirist's expression of these disturbing elements must be "brutal and naked" in order to provide relief. This implies that the act of laying bare the ugliness and incongruity of society is a form of release for the satirist—a way to alleviate the internal turmoil caused by their observations. The use of the word "brutal" conveys the uncompromising and unapologetic nature of the satirist's expression, while "naked" suggests a stripping away of pretense and artifice to reveal the unadorned truth.

Dos Passos' description of the satirist's compulsion to express the negative aspects of society in such a raw and unvarnished manner sheds light on the underlying purpose of satire. Satire, as a literary and artistic genre, serves as a vehicle for critiquing and exposing societal flaws, often through the use of humor, irony, and exaggeration. By confronting the audience with the unvarnished truth in a jarring and discomforting manner, the satirist seeks to provoke introspection and stimulate critical thinking about the world around us.

The quote also touches on the role of satire as a form of social commentary and critique. Satirists often use their work to hold a mirror up to society, exposing its hypocrisies, injustices, and absurdities. In doing so, they challenge prevailing norms and values, prompting readers and viewers to question the status quo and consider alternative perspectives. Dos Passos' assertion that the satirist must express these aspects of society "as brutally and nakedly as possible" underscores the confrontational nature of satire and its capacity to provoke discomfort and provoke change.

In conclusion, John Dos Passos' quote provides a thought-provoking glimpse into the motivations and methods of a satirist. It portrays the satirist as a deeply sensitive individual who is compelled to confront and expose the darker aspects of society in an unflinchingly honest and unapologetic manner. Through their work, satirists aim to provoke reflection, challenge norms, and stimulate critical engagement with the world around us. Dos Passos' words serve as a reminder of the power of satire to illuminate uncomfortable truths and inspire meaningful dialogue about the state of society.