--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [I]s there not something basically…" description: "\"“[I]s there not something basically hostile to the actor's art in the consanguinity principle? After all, what is acting but an exercise in dissimulati..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7b/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr-2-2017_art_i-s-there-not-something-basically-hostil_1210985.jpg" --- # \[I\]s there not something basically hostile to the actor's… ![“[I]s there not something basically hostile to the actor's art in the consanguinity principle? After all, what is acting but an exercise in dissimulation? The challenge to actors is to create characters on the stage; and these characters may be very different from what the actors are in real life…” quote by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7b/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr-2-2017_art_i-s-there-not-something-basically-hostil_1210985.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7b/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr-2-2017_art_i-s-there-not-something-basically-hostil_1210985.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7b/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr-2-2017_art_i-s-there-not-something-basically-hostil_1210985.jpg) > ““\[I\]s there not something basically hostile to the actor's art in the consanguinity principle? After all, what is acting but an exercise in dissimulation? The challenge to actors is to create characters on the stage; and these characters may be very different from what the actors are in real life. That indeed is the actor's triumph. The racialist restriction nullifies the talent of directors. The idea that only Swedes can direct Strindberg, only Russians Chekhov, only Irish Sheridan or Shaw, only Englishmen Shakespeare is self-evidently ridiculous--and, if carried out, would hopelessly impoverish the art of the theater. The consanguinity principle is an exclusionary rule that penalizes the very minorities it claims to benefit.”” [Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The essay argues that restricting directors by nationality is absurd and harms theater, as talent is not bound by ethnicity. **In simple terms:** Limiting directors by nationality hurts art. Key Takeaway Support artistic freedom regardless of background. Themes art diversity inclusion talent Mood analytical advocacy thought‑provoking Type critical persuasive When to use this quote - casting decisions - directorial hires - festival programming - academic curricula Key Concepts nationalism exclusion theatrical tradition Questions to Reflect On - Should cultural background influence artistic leadership? - What are the benefits of diverse directing perspectives? A Different Perspective Some may claim cultural authenticity matters in directing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Real life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-life/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [You have to be truthful and believable in whatever you do and that is the founding principle of acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-kay-menon/you-have-to-be-truthful-and-believable-in-whatever-you-do-and-that-is/) [Kay Kay Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-kay-menon/) > [To be in front of an audience and pretending, and to lie, this is the principle of acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-benigni/to-be-in-front-of-an-audience-and-pretending-and-to-lie-this-is-the/) [Roberto Benigni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-benigni/) > [The principle of acting in good faith is at the heart of decent work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-eyre/the-principle-of-acting-in-good-faith-is-at-the-heart-of-decent-work/) [Richard Eyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-eyre/) > [“Relationships and dating don't always have the perfect narrative arc like they do in the movies. 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