--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In those early days, the important thing…" description: "\"In those early days, the important thing was the happy ending. I did not tolerate unhappy endings - for my heroines, anyway. And later on, I began to r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/alice-munro-1231_early_in-those-early-days-the-important-thing_2463668.png" --- # In those early days, the important thing was the happy… ![“In those early days, the important thing was the happy ending. I did not tolerate unhappy endings - for my heroines, anyway. And later on, I began to read things like 'Wuthering Heights,' and very, very unhappy endings would take place, so I changed my ideas completely and went in for the tragic…” quote by Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/alice-munro-1231_early_in-those-early-days-the-important-thing_2463668.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/alice-munro-1231_early_in-those-early-days-the-important-thing_2463668.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12a/alice-munro-1231_early_in-those-early-days-the-important-thing_2463668.png) > “In those early days, the important thing was the happy ending. I did not tolerate unhappy endings - for my heroines, anyway. And later on, I began to read things like 'Wuthering Heights,' and very, very unhappy endings would take place, so I changed my ideas completely and went in for the tragic, which I enjoyed.” [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author shifted from preferring happy endings to embracing tragic ones after exposure to classic literature. **In simple terms:** She moved from happy to tragic endings. Key Takeaway Explore diverse narrative outcomes. Themes literature personal growth storytelling Mood thoughtful analytical Type literary personal When to use this quote - writing workshops - reading classic novels - creative writing classes - literary analysis Key Concepts narrative expectations genre evolution Questions to Reflect On - Do you prefer happy or tragic conclusions? - How does personal taste influence storytelling? A Different Perspective Tragic endings may alienate some readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happy ending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-ending/) [Happy endings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-endings/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Unhappy endings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unhappy-endings/) [Wuthering Heights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wuthering-heights/) ## Related quotes > [“What kind of books do you like?' 'I like books about nice people. 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Your brain needs them to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/unhappy-endings-are-just-as-important-as-happy-endings-they-re-an/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [It's no secret that many tales of tween stardom have had unhappy endings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-connelly/it-s-no-secret-that-many-tales-of-tween-stardom-have-had-unhappy/) [Chris Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-connelly/) > [Unhappy endings can be as cheap as happy endings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-russell/unhappy-endings-can-be-as-cheap-as-happy-endings/) [David O. Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-russell/) > [“You were right the first time, Cathy. It was a stupid, silly story. Ridiculous! Only insane people would die for the sake of love.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-c-andrews/you-were-right-the-first-time-cathy-it-was-a-stupid-silly-story/) [V.C. 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