Attraction Quote by Drew Gilpin Faust
“We have been telling and hearing and reading war stories for millennia. Their endurance may lie in their impossibility; they can never be complete, for the tensions and the contradictions within them will never be eliminated or resolved. That challenge is essential to their power and their attraction. War stories matter.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Unwanted: American Refugees at the End of the World War, Drew Gilpin Faust, 2014
War narratives endure because they are inherently incomplete, leaving unresolved tensions that keep them compelling and powerful.
In simple terms: War stories persist due to their endless contradictions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the value of unresolved conflict in storytelling.
Themes
history
conflict
storytelling
memory
power
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
analytical
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- teaching history
- writing fiction
- documentary filmmaking
- public speaking
- museum curation
Key Concepts
Narrative incompleteness
psychology of attraction
cultural memory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do unresolved tensions affect listeners' engagement?
- When might a complete narrative be more appropriate?
A Different Perspective
The claim that incompleteness is essential may overlook the need for closure in healing contexts.
