The essay that you read was produced at the behest of his French publisher. They wanted him to write something that would make people feel better about the book, that would give some account of its origin and give some defense for its publication and its content.

你们所读到的那篇短文就是在法国出版商的要求下写的,他们希望他写些什么来让人们对这本书产生更多的好感,来交待这本书的缘起,并且为它的内容和它的出版进行辩护。

耶鲁公开课 - 1945年后的美国小说课程节选