Never walk over a writer, I said to myself, unless you're positive he can't rise us behind you. If you're going to burn him, make sure he's dead. Because if he's alive, he will talk: talk in written form, on the printed, permanent page.
In the excerpt from Philip K. Dick's Radio Free Albemuth, the narrator reflects on the power and resilience of writers. The message emphasizes that underestimating a writer could be a grave mistake, as they possess the ability to influence and communicate through their work. The cautionary tone suggests that one should be careful not to suppress a writer's voice, as it may rise again through their writings.
Moreover, the passage highlights the permanence of a writer's words. Even if one attempts to silence them, if the writer is alive, their thoughts and ideas will inevitably find a way to be expressed on the page. This serves as a reminder that literature has a lasting impact and can continue to resonate long after it is written, embodying the writer's spirit and thoughts forever.