A story must be judged according to whether it makes sense…
““A story must be judged according to whether it makes sense . And 'making sense' must be here understood in its most direct meaning: to make sense is to enliven the senses. A story that makes sense is one that stirs the senses from their slumber, one that opens the eyes and the ears to their real surroundings, tuning the tongue to the actual tastes in the air and sending chills of recognition along the surface of the skin. To make sense is to release the body from the constraints imposed by outworn ways of speaking, and hence to renew and rejuvenate one's felt awareness of the world. It is to make the senses wake up to where they are.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A story should awaken the reader’s senses, making them feel the world directly rather than through stale language.
In simple terms: Stories should stir the senses and refresh perception.
Key Takeaway
Write to awaken perception.
Themes
perception
sensory experience
storytelling
awakening
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- teaching
- mindfulness
- art critique
- environmental education
Key Concepts
embodiment
phenomenology
ecology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a story engage your senses?
- What language feels most alive to you?
A Different Perspective
Sensory overload can distract from deeper meaning.