Art Quote by Colum McCann
“Stories are there to be told, and each story changes with the telling. Time changes them. Logic changes them. Grammar changes them. History changes them. Each story is shifted side-ways by each day that unfolds. Nothing ends. The only thing that matters, as Faulkner once put it, is the human heart in conflict with itself. At the heart of all this is the possibility, or desire, to create a piece of art that talks to the human instinct for recovery and joy.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann, 2009
Stories evolve with each retelling, altered by time, logic, grammar, and history, reflecting the human heart’s inner conflict and the drive to create art that heals and delights.
In simple terms: Stories change over time, reflecting inner conflict and artistic yearning.
Key Takeaway
Embrace storytelling as a path to healing and joy.
Themes
storytelling
change
human conflict
artistic creation
Mood
reflective
hopeful
melancholic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- therapy sessions
- educational curricula
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
Narrative theory
psychology of memory
creative expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How does each retelling reshape meaning?
- What role does conflict play in artistic creation?
A Different Perspective
Stories may be distorted, losing original intent.
