The Man of Letters as a Man of Business

"The Man of Letters as a Man of Business" by William Dean Howells is a reflective literary essay that examines the challenging position of writers who must navigate the financial pressures of the late 19th century literary world. It explores the common struggles of authors trying to maintain artistic ideals while trying to earn a living in a world, exposing the stress between artistic integrity against the demands of the marketplace. Howells provides a thoughtful assessment of the monetary compensations for artists, suggesting that selling art could harm its true importance, highlighting how society sees commercialism as an important measure of value. He ultimately says that writers must face the fact that business matters, but they must remain loyal to the art of writing.