A very great Iliad... concerns the creation of a nation…
“A very great Iliad... concerns the creation of a nation. Raymond Queneau After the magical act accomplished by Joyce with Ulysses, perhaps we are getting away from it. Raymond Queneau All confessions are Odysseys. Raymond Queneau All societies are historical. Raymond Queneau Fiction has consisted either of placing imaginary characters in a true story, which is the Iliad, or of presenting the story of an individual as having a general historical value, which is the Odyssey. Raymond Queneau It doesn't seem to me that anyone has discovered much that's new since the Iliad or the Odyssey. Raymond Queneau It is the creator of fiction's point of view; it is the character who interests him. Sometimes he wants to convince the reader that the story he is telling is as interesting as universal history. Raymond Queneau It seems to me that an author who has determined very new domains in literature is Gertrude Stein. Raymond Queneau Many novelists take well-defined, precise characters, whos”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Great epics shape nations; fiction mirrors history, blending myth and reality.
In simple terms: Stories shape cultures and history.
Key Takeaway
Recognize narrative power in society.
Themes
myth
history
culture
fiction
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- education
- political discourse
- media analysis
Key Concepts
literary theory
social identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fiction influence national identity?
- Can myth replace history?
A Different Perspective
Not all narratives have equal impact.