If a writer has to find a rhythm if his novel is to come…
““If a writer has to find a rhythm if his novel is to come 'right', a rhythm which he may well discover in the rhythm of an individual sentence, then likewise a reader has to find a corresponding rhythm in his reading, which may equally well be discovered in responding to local effect. The intimacy of this relationship between writer and reader is well caught in a recent observation made by Graham Greene, 'Novels should always have, if not dull, then at least level patches. That's where the excessive use of film technique, cutting sharply from intensity to intensity is harmful. . . . The writer needs level passages for his subconscious to work up to the sharp scenes . . . and the reader needs those level patches too, so that he can share in the processes of creation—not by conscious analysis, but by absorption?' To reflect on the wide-ranging effects of rhythm in reading would seem to be one way of making a start on tracing that obscure route that leads from 'absorption' to 'conscious analysis'.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Effective prose requires a balance of varied pacing and steady, allowing readers to absorb and then engage consciously.
In simple terms: Stories need both calm and intense parts.
Key Takeaway
Blend steady sections with climactic moments.
Themes
structure
reading dynamics
literary technique
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- novel writing workshops
- editing drafts
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
tempo
absorption
conscious analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify when a passage is too intense?
- What role does rhythm play in your own reading enjoyment?
A Different Perspective
Too much emphasis on rhythm may ignore plot.