There is something in us, as storytellers and as listeners…
“There is something in us, as storytellers and as listeners to stories, that demands the redemptive act, that demands that what falls at least be offered the chance to be restored. The reader of today looks for this motion, and rightly so, but what he has forgotten is the cost of it. His sense of evil is diluted or lacking altogether, and so he has forgotten the price of restoration. When he reads a novel, he wants either his sense tormented or his spirits raised. He wants to be transported, instantly, either to mock damnation or a mock innocence.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Stories appeal to our desire for redemption, but modern readers often overlook the moral cost of restoration, seeking only emotional thrills.
In simple terms: We crave redemption in stories but ignore its price.
Key Takeaway
Remember the moral stakes when seeking emotional impact.
Themes
redemption
storytelling
morality
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading fiction
- writing
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
ethical cost
emotional transport
narrative tension
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your favorite story balance redemption and cost?
- What does true restoration demand?
A Different Perspective
The focus on instant emotional payoff can cheapen deeper moral reflection.