Conventional Quote by Ben Lerner
“I came to realize that far more important to me than any plot or conventional sense was the sheer directionality I felt while reading prose, the texture of time as it passed, life's white machine.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Topeka School by Ben Lerner, 2019
Reading prose can become a temporal experience where the sense of direction outweighs plot, emphasizing the flow of time and existence.
In simple terms: Prose can feel like moving through time more than following a story.
Key Takeaway
Focus on the feeling of reading rather than the narrative.
Themes
literature
time
perception
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- literary analysis
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
narrative flow
existential texture
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the sense of direction shape your reading experience?
- What does “life’s white machine” suggest to you?
A Different Perspective
The emphasis on direction may overlook plot's role in meaning.
