Aim Quote by Donald Barthelme
“His examiner said severely: "Baskerville, you blank round, discursiveness is not literature." "The aim of literature," Baskerville replied grandly, "is the creation of a strange object covered with fur which breaks your heart."”
About This Quote
Source Short Story: "The Baskerville Effect", Donald Barthelme, 1978
Literature should provoke emotional resonance through unexpected, vivid imagery.
In simple terms: Create strange, moving images in writing.
Key Takeaway
Use striking metaphors to touch readers' hearts.
Themes
creativity
emotion
imagery
literature
Mood
playful
thoughtful
artistic
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- creative therapy
- advertising copy
- film scriptwriting
Key Concepts
modernism
surrealism
narrative technique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance strangeness with clarity?
- What emotions do you want to evoke?
A Different Perspective
Overly bizarre imagery may alienate audiences.
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