--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Paraphrase, in the sense of summary, is…" description: "\"Paraphrase, in the sense of summary, is as indispensable to the novel-critic as close analysis is to the critic of lyric poetry. The natural deduction ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/904/david-lodge-11610_analysis_paraphrase-in-the-sense-of-summary-is-as_1822916.jpg" --- # Paraphrase, in the sense of summary, is as indispensable… ![“Paraphrase, in the sense of summary, is as indispensable to the novel-critic as close analysis is to the critic of lyric poetry. The natural deduction is that novels are paraphrasable whereas poems are not. But this is a false deduction because close analysis is itself a disguised form of…” quote by David Lodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/904/david-lodge-11610_analysis_paraphrase-in-the-sense-of-summary-is-as_1822916.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/904/david-lodge-11610_analysis_paraphrase-in-the-sense-of-summary-is-as_1822916.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/904/david-lodge-11610_analysis_paraphrase-in-the-sense-of-summary-is-as_1822916.jpg) > “Paraphrase, in the sense of summary, is as indispensable to the novel-critic as close analysis is to the critic of lyric poetry. The natural deduction is that novels are paraphrasable whereas poems are not. But this is a false deduction because close analysis is itself a disguised form of paraphrase.” [David Lodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lodge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Paraphrasing is essential for novel analysis, yet treating poems as un‑paraphrasable is a false dichotomy; both forms benefit from close reading. **In simple terms:** Both novels and poems need paraphrase and close analysis. Key Takeaway Apply close reading to all literary forms. Themes literary criticism analysis methodology paraphrase Mood analytical educational Type academic philosophical When to use this quote - academic research - teaching literature - book reviews - creative writing Key Concepts structuralism poetics comparative literature Questions to Reflect On - How does close analysis differ across genres? - When is paraphrase insufficient? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on one method can limit insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Analysis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analysis/) [Deductions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deductions/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Lyric poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lyric-poetry/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) ## Related quotes > [Most lyric poetry is about love, whether yearned after, fulfilled, or wistfully regretted; what isn't tends to consist of laments and cris du coeur…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dirda/most-lyric-poetry-is-about-love-whether-yearned-after-fulfilled-or/) [Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dirda/) > [I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archilochus/i-have-a-high-art-i-hurt-with-cruelty-those-who-would-damage-me/) [Archilochus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archilochus/) > [And gentle winds and waters near, make music to the lonely ear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/and-gentle-winds-and-waters-near-make-music-to-the-lonely-ear/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [We have certain rules for traditional lyric poetry in Korea. I twist my body, confused by what to say and how to act, facing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-hyesoon/we-have-certain-rules-for-traditional-lyric-poetry-in-korea-i-twist/) [Kim Hyesoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-hyesoon/) > [The kind of poetry I write, lyric poetry, I think is really concerned with intimacy, with mystery. That needn't be religious mystery, there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/the-kind-of-poetry-i-write-lyric-poetry-i-think-is-really-concerned/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [For 8,000 years, we've had lyric poetry; for 400 years we've had the novel: theatre hands its meaning down in text. Let's find a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/for-8-000-years-we-ve-had-lyric-poetry-for-400-years-we-ve-had-the/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) > [Lyric poetry is, of course, musical in origin. 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How could we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-orr/no-one-can-threaten-poetry-it-s-always-been-there-always-will-be/) [Gregory Orr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-orr/) > [“There are only so many people capable of putting together words that stir and move and sing. When it became possible to earn a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-m-kornbluth/there-are-only-so-many-people-capable-of-putting-together-words-that/) C.M. Kornbluth > [When you write a song, most of the words you use are in black and white, and then, from time to time, you use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-brel/when-you-write-a-song-most-of-the-words-you-use-are-in-black-and/) Jacques Brel ## More by David Lodge > [Universities are the cathedrals of the modern age. They shouldn't have to justify their existence by utilitarian criteria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lodge/universities-are-the-cathedrals-of-the-modern-age-they-shouldn-t-have/) [David Lodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lodge/) > [“We’re a bundle of incompatible parts, and we make up stories about ourselves to disguise the fact. 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