In Literature in the Making, by Some of Its Makers, editor Joyce Kilmer presents a series of interviews with prominent American authors of the early twentieth century. The book does not offer a unified theory of literature but instead captures a range of opinions on topics such as war, commercialism, and the nature of genius. The excerpts show writers responding to specific questions, often with vivid metaphors—George Barr McCutcheon, for instance, describes America as “born of adventure” and its people as “kindly, genial, smiling braggarts.” The volume’s structure, with each chapter headed by a biographical sketch of the interviewee, frames these conversations as windows into the authors’ personal views rather than definitive statements.

War as a Literary Interruption

The opening interview with George Barr McCutcheon directly addresses the impact of World War I on literature. McCutcheon responds to William Dean Howells’s claim that “war stops literature” by arguing that war “stops everything else” except “bloodshed, horror, and heartache.” He predicts that great literature will emerge from the conflict, written by men “unknown and unconsidered” at the time. This exchange reveals a tension between the idea of war as a destructive force and as a catalyst for profound expression. McCutcheon’s optimism contrasts with the more cautious tone of other contributors, suggesting that the volume itself is a product of its wartime moment.

Commercialism and the Drain on Art

Frank H. Spearman offers a pointed critique of American commercialism, arguing that business “robs literature and the kindred arts of our keenest minds.” He imagines a world where J. Pierpont Morgan writes sonnets and Rockefeller paints, but insists that the lure of wealth and power diverts talent from artistic pursuits. Spearman’s interview challenges the romantic notion of the starving artist, noting that while “poverty provides an excellent foundation for a career,” the modern writer faces temptations that earlier geniuses did not. His remarks highlight a recurring concern in the book: the relationship between economic success and artistic integrity.

Romance and the American Character

Several interviewees defend the presence of romance in American life. McCutcheon asserts that America is “essentially a romantic country,” despite its commercialism, and that its people “dream and perform.” Montague Glass, known for his stories of Jewish-American businessmen, brings a different perspective, suggesting that humor and romance coexist in the immigrant experience. The excerpts show that the authors often define romance broadly—as adventure, risk, or even belief in fairies—rather than as a literary genre. This section of the book reveals how writers of the period sought to reconcile national identity with artistic ambition.

The interviews in Literature in the Making do not settle the questions they raise, but they preserve the voices of authors grappling with rapid social change. Readers interested in early twentieth-century American literary culture will find here a record of how writers positioned themselves between art and commerce, tradition and innovation. The book rewards attention to the specific phrasing each author uses, as their metaphors and asides often reveal more than their explicit arguments.