Meaning: The quote "When somebody asks me what I do, I don't think I'd say critic. I say writer." by Leslie Fiedler encapsulates the complex and often overlapping roles of critics and writers in the literary world. Leslie Fiedler, an American literary critic and educator, challenges the traditional perception of a critic as someone who solely evaluates and analyzes literary works. Instead, he asserts that as a critic, he also identifies himself as a writer, emphasizing the creative and expressive aspects of his role.

Leslie Fiedler's statement reflects the evolving nature of literary criticism and the multidimensional responsibilities of those who engage in it. While critics are commonly associated with providing evaluations and interpretations of literary works, Fiedler's assertion suggests that the act of critiquing is intertwined with the act of creating. As a writer, Fiedler not only analyzes existing literature but also contributes to the ongoing dialogue of literary creation through his critical writings.

Fiedler's self-identification as a writer in addition to a critic underscores the idea that criticism is a form of creative expression in itself. Critics, like writers, craft their insights and analyses with language and style, aiming to convey their interpretations and assessments in compelling and thought-provoking ways. This challenges the notion of a clear boundary between creators and evaluators within the literary landscape, as Fiedler suggests that critics actively participate in the literary process through their critical engagements.

Furthermore, Fiedler's assertion raises questions about the purpose and impact of literary criticism. By aligning himself with the identity of a writer, he emphasizes the significance of critics as contributors to the literary world, not merely as detached assessors. Critics, according to Fiedler, are integral to the ongoing narrative of literature, shaping and influencing the discourse through their critical perspectives and writings. This challenges the perception of critics as secondary or supplementary figures in comparison to the authors whose works they evaluate.

Moreover, Fiedler's emphasis on the role of a writer within the identity of a critic highlights the creative and personal investment that critics bring to their analyses. Rather than approaching criticism as an objective and detached exercise, Fiedler's perspective suggests that critics infuse their own voices and perspectives into their critiques, thereby enriching the literary conversation with diverse insights and interpretations.

In conclusion, Leslie Fiedler's quote "When somebody asks me what I do, I don't think I'd say critic. I say writer." encapsulates the dynamic and interconnected nature of literary criticism and writing. Fiedler's assertion challenges traditional distinctions between creators and evaluators, emphasizing the creative, expressive, and influential aspects of the critic's role. By aligning himself with the identity of a writer, Fiedler underscores the essential contributions of critics to the ongoing narrative of literature, shaping and enriching the literary landscape through their critical engagements.