--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We want a sense that an important…" description: "\"We want a sense that an important character, like a narrator, is reliable. We want to believe that a character is not playing ages or being coy or bein..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/anne-lamott-188_ability_we-want-a-sense-that-an-important-charac_2578091.png" --- # We want a sense that an important character, like a… ![“We want a sense that an important character, like a narrator, is reliable. We want to believe that a character is not playing ages or being coy or being manipulative, but is telling the truth to the best of his or her ability...We do not wish to be crudely manipulated...We want to be massaged by a…” quote by Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/anne-lamott-188_ability_we-want-a-sense-that-an-important-charac_2578091.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/anne-lamott-188_ability_we-want-a-sense-that-an-important-charac_2578091.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/527/anne-lamott-188_ability_we-want-a-sense-that-an-important-charac_2578091.png) > “We want a sense that an important character, like a narrator, is reliable. We want to believe that a character is not playing ages or being coy or being manipulative, but is telling the truth to the best of his or her ability...We do not wish to be crudely manipulated...We want to be massaged by a masseur, not whapped by a carpet beater.” [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A narrator must seem trustworthy so readers accept the story without feeling manipulated. **In simple terms:** Narrators need to feel honest. Key Takeaway Seek authenticity in storytelling. Themes trust reliability narrative authenticity Mood thoughtful analytical Type literary reflective When to use this quote - novel writing - film script - journalism - public speaking Key Concepts narrative voice reader perception Questions to Reflect On - How do you gauge a narrator’s honesty? - What cues signal manipulation? A Different Perspective Readers may still doubt subtle bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-character-610853/) [Carpet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carpet/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Important Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-character-324201/) [Manipulative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manipulative/) [Manipulative Telling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manipulative-telling-1753224/) [Narrator Reliable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrator-reliable-1753223/) [Narrators](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrators/) [Telling the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-the-truth/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [It's intrusive for grandparents to think they're in charge. It's manipulative. Also, it's self-destructive, since if the parents have to resist you, you won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/it-s-intrusive-for-grandparents-to-think-they-re-in-charge-it-s/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [When I found out that I'm playing Nagini, I thought it was meaningful because it's an important character in the 'Harry Potter' series. 'Harry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-kim/when-i-found-out-that-i-m-playing-nagini-i-thought-it-was-meaningful/) [Claudia Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-kim/) > [Honesty and integrity is an important part of our character, my character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/honesty-and-integrity-is-an-important-part-of-our-character-my/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [Reputation is what others think about you. What's far more important is character, because that is what you think about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-jean-king/reputation-is-what-others-think-about-you-what-s-far-more-important/) [Billie Jean King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-jean-king/) > [I believe no challenge is more important to the character of America than restoring the right to life to all human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-believe-no-challenge-is-more-important-to-the-character-of-america/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [What is important is the character that I play. Making an impact is far more important than the length of the role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neha-dhupia/what-is-important-is-the-character-that-i-play-making-an-impact-is/) [Neha Dhupia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neha-dhupia/) > [What a character wears and how it affects their mood and their movements has always been very important to me. A character's clothes, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zawe-ashton/what-a-character-wears-and-how-it-affects-their-mood-and-their/) [Zawe Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zawe-ashton/) > [Beauty is only skin deep .the way you look is not as important as your character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-kid/beauty-is-only-skin-deep-the-way-you-look-is-not-as-important-as-your/) [Ace Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ace-kid/) > [I always think change is important in a character. The most dynamic choices that you can make for a character are always the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sarsgaard/i-always-think-change-is-important-in-a-character-the-most-dynamic/) [Peter Sarsgaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sarsgaard/) > [I do think that it's extremely important with this character show her assuming power with a great deal of grace, and find out how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mcdonnell/i-do-think-that-it-s-extremely-important-with-this-character-show-her/) [Mary McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mcdonnell/) > [A finishing move is an important part of one's character - and sometimes success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-omega/a-finishing-move-is-an-important-part-of-one-s-character-and/) [Kenny Omega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-omega/) > [Every character for me is the same. I give equal importance to every character I do, that's what's more important, whether this character has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallika-sherawat/every-character-for-me-is-the-same-i-give-equal-importance-to-every/) [Mallika Sherawat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallika-sherawat/) > [Talent is important, but it's more important that you have character. Combined with talent, you can be a very good player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-de-boer/talent-is-important-but-it-s-more-important-that-you-have-character/) [Frank de Boer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-de-boer/) > [There are many factors that make a serial hit or flop, but what is important is the character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiten-tejwani/there-are-many-factors-that-make-a-serial-hit-or-flop-but-what-is/) [Hiten Tejwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiten-tejwani/) > [Music or sound in a film is a character as important as another character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvin-van-peebles/music-or-sound-in-a-film-is-a-character-as-important-as-another/) [Melvin Van Peebles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvin-van-peebles/) ## More by Anne Lamott > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [I guess he'll have to figure out someday that he is supposed to have this dark side, that it is part of what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-guess-he-ll-have-to-figure-out-someday-that-he-is-supposed-to-have/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [It's funny where we look for salvation, and where we actually find it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/it-s-funny-where-we-look-for-salvation-and-where-we-actually-find-it/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess over everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/why-couldn-t-jesus-command-us-to-obsess-over-everything-to-try-to/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Publication is not all that it is cracked up to be. But writing is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/publication-is-not-all-that-it-is-cracked-up-to-be-but-writing-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/your-problem-is-how-you-are-going-to-spend-this-one-odd-and-precious/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [And yet, I do believe there is ultimately meaning in the chaos, and also in the doldrums. What I resist is not the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/and-yet-i-do-believe-there-is-ultimately-meaning-in-the-chaos-and/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Raising a child, whether or not it is yours, is like Nautilus of the heart and soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/raising-a-child-whether-or-not-it-is-yours-is-like-nautilus-of-the/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I heard a preacher say recently that hope is a revolutionary patience; let me add that so is being a writer. Hope begins in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-heard-a-preacher-say-recently-that-hope-is-a-revolutionary-patience/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-think-perfectionism-is-based-on-the-obsessive-belief-that-if-you/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [All criticism hurts me. I'm so in the wrong business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/all-criticism-hurts-me-i-m-so-in-the-wrong-business/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [We are going to die, as is everyone we adore - I hate this! But the question is, how do we live as women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/we-are-going-to-die-as-is-everyone-we-adore-i-hate-this-but-the/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“You will go through your life thinking there was a day in second grade that you must have missed, when the grown-ups came in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/you-will-go-through-your-life-thinking-there-was-a-day-in-second/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“You begin to string words together like beads to tell a story. You are desperate to communicate, to edify or entertain, to preserve moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/you-begin-to-string-words-together-like-beads-to-tell-a-story-you-are/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“You lose the known package of your nice organized self almost instantly here. Overeating is one way back, the way it is at funerals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/you-lose-the-known-package-of-your-nice-organized-self-almost/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) [Explore all 976 Anne Lamott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We want a sense that an important character, like a narrator, is reliable. 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