Allegiance Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“ROMANCE, n. Fiction that owes no allegiance to the God of Things as They Are. In the novel the writer's thought is tethered to probability, but in romance it ranges at will over the entire region of the imagination . . .”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Romance of the Future", 1885, published in The Wasp
Romance disregards realistic constraints, favoring imagination over probability
In simple terms: Romance prioritizes imagination over reality
Key Takeaway
Value creative freedom over strict logic
Themes
imagination
creativity
fiction
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- storytelling
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
literary theory
probability
narrative freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- What role should realism play in romance?
- How does imagination shape narrative?
A Different Perspective
Risk of ignoring practical limits; may lead to unrealistic expectations
