Fiction Quote by Edward Hirsch
“I think fiction goes to poetry for the intensity of its use of language.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Poetry of Fiction", The New Yorker, 2015
Fiction shares poetry's intensity by employing vivid, concentrated language to evoke deep feeling.
In simple terms: Fiction uses poetic language for intensity.
Key Takeaway
Read fiction with attention to its lyrical qualities.
Themes
literature
poetry
language intensity
artistic expression
Mood
analytical
appreciative
inquisitive
Type
literary
artistic
educational
When to use this quote
- reading clubs
- writing workshops
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
creative writing
emotional resonance
Questions to Reflect On
- When does poetic language enhance a story?
- How does intensity affect reader engagement?
A Different Perspective
Not all fiction aims for poetic intensity; some prioritize plot or realism.
![“[H]ow do I pity those who (assuming the name of friends) surround themselves with maxims importing the wisdom of doubt and suspicion, 'til they impose on themselves that very hard task of laboring through life without ever knowing a human creature to whom they can make the proper use of language…” quote by Sarah Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d0/sarah-fielding-19151_assuming_h-ow-do-i-pity-those-who-assuming-the-na_687697.jpg)
![“I think we need to sort of broaden our definition of poetry, which maybe it's a good thing that they just gave this Nobel Prize to [Bob] Dylan because blurring the lines of song lyrics and also hip-hop for me is like some of the greatest uses - most innovative uses of language in my lifetime.” quote by Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ff/jim-jarmusch-3256_bob_i-think-we-need-to-sort-of-broaden-our-d_681950.jpg)
