Kept Quote by David Foster Wallace
““She kept . . . using the, well, the quote L-word itself several times without irony or any evident awareness that the word has through tactical over-deployment become trite and requires invisible quotes around it now at the very least.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Consider the Lobster”, The New Yorker, 2004
Overusing a cliché term without awareness can make it feel stale, requiring extra framing to convey meaning.
In simple terms: Clichés become trite without awareness.
Key Takeaway
Use language consciously.
Themes
language
cliché
awareness
communication
literature
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- editing
- public speaking
- media analysis
Key Concepts
semantic saturation
irony
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- When does repetition become effective?
- How can you revitalize overused terms?
A Different Perspective
The critique may dismiss intentional stylistic choices that serve a purpose.
