# Quote — E.M. Forster, Aspects of the Novel

> A mirror does not develop because an historical pageant passes in front of it. It only develops when it gets a fresh coat of quicksilver — in other words, when it acquires new sensitiveness; and the novel's success lies in its own sensitiveness, not in the success of its subject matter.

- Author: [E.M. Forster](https://www.leafyquotes.com/em-forster.md)
- Book: [Aspects of the Novel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/em-forster/aspects-of-the-novel.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/E._M._Forster#Aspects_of_the_Novel_(1927)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/em-forster/aspects-of-the-novel/a-mirror-does