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Tolstoy may be right about happy and unhappy families, but…

“Tolstoy may be right about happy and unhappy families, but in ballet, it works the opposite way: All good ballets are different from each other and all bad ones are alike, at least in one crucial respect - they're all empty.” quote by Robert Gottlieb
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“Tolstoy may be right about happy and unhappy families, but in ballet, it works the opposite way: All good ballets are different from each other and all bad ones are alike, at least in one crucial respect - they're all empty.”

Robert Gottlieb

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Ballet thrives on diversity; uniformity signals poor quality.

In simple terms: Variety makes good ballets; sameness makes bad ones.

Key Takeaway

Seek originality in art.

Themes

art creativity quality uniformity

Mood

critical analytical

Type

critical educational

When to use this quote

  • producing ballets
  • critique performances
  • art education

Key Concepts

aesthetic diversity artistic standards

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do we equate sameness with emptiness?
  • How can tradition coexist with innovation?
A Different Perspective

Some audiences may prefer familiar styles; diversity isn’t always valued.

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