Politically speaking, how best to navigate this social situation?

I was with some Congressmen recently and we were discussing literature. I am a young private sector attorney and they are all in at least their fourth term, so I admit I don't know as much as them.

Anyway, the conversation came to our favorite novel and I mentioned that "The Brothers Karamazov" by Dostoevsky is my choice.

The most senior Congressman laughed and said, "well if we want any gauche, nescient opinions we know where to go!" He then high fived a few of his interns. 

I asked him what he meant by that and he rolled his eyes, replying: "look, if you're still fumbling with facile moral discussions perhaps you should be in playschool rather than at a sophisticated table such as this where adult discourse is taking place."