Bilbo Quote by Anonymous
“Have you thought of an ending?" "Yes, several, and all are dark and unpleasant." "Oh, that won't do! Books ought to have good endings. How would this do: and they all settled down and lived together happily ever after?" "It will do well, if it ever came to that." "Ah! And where will they live? That's what I often wonder.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Unknown, possibly a literary dialogue about storytelling
The exchange highlights tension between realistic, often bleak conclusions and the desire for comforting, happy endings in narratives.
In simple terms: People often prefer happy endings over realistic ones.
Key Takeaway
Embrace narrative honesty while acknowledging comfort.
Themes
storytelling
expectation
reality
comfort
resolution
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- author brainstorming
- reader feedback
- creative counseling
Key Concepts
narrative structure
psychology of endings
genre conventions
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize truth or comfort in stories?
- How does ending tone affect audience impact?
A Different Perspective
Not all stories benefit from forced optimism; some themes demand authenticity.
