American art in general... takes to surreal exaggerations and metaphors; but its Puritan work ethic has little use for the playful self-indulgence behind Parisian Surrealism.

This quote means that American art often uses exaggerated and metaphorical representations to tell a story. However, American art is also tied to the Puritan work ethic, which does not allow for playful and indulgent approaches to art-making like those used in Parisian Surrealism.