The dominant question for us with regard to literature has become, 'What does this have to do with me, with life as I know it?' That's the question answered by all these books about how Proust was actually a neuroscientist or how Proust can teach you emotional intelligence.

Elif Batuman's quote addresses the growing trend in contemporary literature to focus on its direct relevance to the reader's life. The question, "What does this have to do with me, with life as I know it?" reflects a shift in how people engage with texts today. Rather than appreciating literature for its artistic or philosophical value alone, readers increasingly want to know how a work can be applied to their own experiences and practical concerns, like emotional intelligence or personal growth.

Batuman points to the rise of books that try to make classic literature more accessible by linking it to modern fields of study. For example, books that argue how Proust's writing relates to neuroscience or emotional insight are part of this trend. The aim is to show how literary works, once seen as distant or abstract, can have practical value in understanding ourselves, our emotions, and even the workings of our minds.

The quote critiques this tendency, suggesting that it reflects a shift in how we approach literature. Rather than appreciating the beauty or complexity of a text for its own sake, readers now want immediate, personal benefit from it. This trend may signal a broader cultural shift toward a more utilitarian view of art and knowledge, where everything must serve a functional purpose.

Ultimately, Batuman's quote captures the tension between traditional views of literature as a means of exploring deep, abstract ideas and the modern desire to make those ideas immediately applicable to our everyday lives. She suggests that this shift is reshaping the way we think about art and its role in our world.