Accurate Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“GOOSE, n. A bird that supplies quills for writing. These [quills] when inked and drawn mechanically across paper by a person called an "author," there results a very fair and accurate transcript of the fowl's thought and feeling.”
About This Quote
Source Dictionary: Definition entry, 19th century American lexicon
A metaphor likening a writer’s work to a bird’s quill, suggesting that writing captures the bird’s inner voice.
In simple terms: Writing records the bird’s thoughts.
Use writing to convey hidden perspectives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- journalism
- creative writing
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does metaphor shape our view of authorship?
- Can a bird’s thought truly be captured in text?
Writing may oversimplify complex emotions.