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GOOSE, n. A bird that supplies quills for writing. These…

“GOOSE, n. A bird that supplies quills for writing. These, by some occult process of nature, are penetrated and suffused with various degrees of the bird's intellectual energies and emotional character, so that when inked and drawn mechanically across paper by a person called an "author," there…” quote by Ambrose Bierce
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“GOOSE, n. A bird that supplies quills for writing. These, by some occult process of nature, are penetrated and suffused with various degrees of the bird's intellectual energies and emotional character, so that when inked and drawn mechanically across paper by a person called an "author," there results a very fair and accurate transcript of the fowl's thought and feeling. The difference in geese, as discovered by this ingenious method, is considerable: many are found to have only trivial and insignificant powers, but some are seen to be very great geese indeed.”

Ambrose Bierce

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Geese metaphorically represent the varied intellectual and emotional capacities of writers.

In simple terms: Writers differ in depth and insight.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate depth in writing.

Themes

creativity writing expression

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • author workshops
  • creative writing
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

metaphor artistic inspiration

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you deepen your writing?
  • What influences a writer's voice?
A Different Perspective

Not all writers achieve profound insight.

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