Popeye the Sailor Man has more cultural longevity. Only women and gays read or write now. Otherwise, these days, no sooner has someone been sodomised by a close relative than they think they can write a memoir. The game's up.
This quote offers a sharply satirical and somewhat cynical view of contemporary culture and literature, reflecting on notions of authenticity, morality, and societal tastes. The mention of Popeye, a classic and enduring cartoon character, symbolizes something timeless and widely accepted, contrasted ironically with modern writers. The speaker seems to comment on how certain demographics, specifically women and members of the LGBTQ+ community, continue to find a place in cultural conversations, while others are marginalized or dismissed. The critique extends further into a provocative statement about memoir writing, implying that scandals, especially those involving family abuse or molestation, have become a kind of facile path to notoriety or publication. The phrase 'the game's up' suggests a loss of integrity or depth in the cultural field, perhaps blaming sensationalism or moral decline for this perceived degradation. It invites reflection on how society values stories, who gets to tell them, and the underlying motivations behind those narratives. The language is provocative and confrontational, likely intended to challenge readers' perceptions of authenticity and moral boundaries in both popular culture and literature.
The quote also raises questions about credibility and the cultural appetite for scandal, which often overshadows nuanced or meaningful storytelling. The cynicism hints at a concern that true cultural or artistic longevity is being replaced by transient notoriety driven by sensationalism. It underscores the fears that society may be losing its capacity for genuine appreciation of enduring values in favor of instant gratification from scandal and controversy. Such a critique reminds us to scrutinize what we celebrate and preserve culturally, while grappling with the overarching impact of sensationalism on our collective consciousness.