We weep for characters, and then we go brush our teeth and…
““We weep for characters, and then we go brush our teeth and have to face the fact that the world is warming at such a rapid pace that a terrifying number of amphibians are vanishing every month. And so through plays, through soccer games, through novels, through movies, through video games, through political elections - through story - we rehearse feelings we might eventually need in our own lives. ... Through drama, in the moments of greatest suspense, when the hero is hanging by a support from above, swaying to and fro ... we rehearse anxiety and longing more profoundly than any other emotions. ... And longing is the reach, the extension, the wild desire to attain the next stable platform at the end of the high wire. It's the hope against hope that the water shooting out of the fountain will stay aloft forever. (Anthony Doerr, "The Sword of Damocles: On Suspense, Shower Murders, and Shooting People on the Beach")””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Stories let us practice intense emotions like anxiety and longing, preparing us for real‑world challenges.
In simple terms: Stories rehearse strong emotions for real life.
Key Takeaway
Use narrative to build emotional resilience.
Themes
storytelling
empathy
anticipation
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading fiction
- watching films
- playing video games
- participating in sports
- political discourse
Key Concepts
psychology of suspense
emotional rehearsal
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions do you find hardest to rehearse?
- How does a story change your view of personal anxiety?
A Different Perspective
Fiction may oversimplify complex emotions.