From a tale one expects a bit of wildness, of exaggeration…
“From a tale one expects a bit of wildness, of exaggeration and dramatic effect. The tale has no inherent concern with decorum, balance or harmony. ... A tale may not display a great deal of structural, psychological, or narrative sophistication, though it might possess all three, but it seldom takes its eye off its primary goal, the creation of a particular emotional state in its reader. Depending on the tale, that state could be wonder, amazement, shock, terror, anger, anxiety, melancholia, or the momentary frisson of horror.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage describes how a tale prioritizes evoking strong emotions over structural or narrative sophistication, focusing on creating a specific emotional impact.
In simple terms: Stories aim to provoke feelings more than technical perfection.
Key Takeaway
Focus on emotional effect.
Themes
storytelling
emotion
craft
audience
impact
Mood
evocative
intense
Type
literary
theoretical
When to use this quote
- horror writing
- marketing
- film
- theatre
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
narrative technique
emotional design
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions does a story aim to trigger?
- How balance emotional impact with narrative quality?
A Different Perspective
Emphasis on emotion may sacrifice depth or nuance.