--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Characters should on the whole, be under…" description: "\"Characters should on the whole, be under rather than over articulate. What they intend to say should be more evident, more striking (because of its gre..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/elizabeth-bowen-1197_character_characters-should-on-the-whole-be-under_1784663.png" --- # Characters should on the whole, be under rather than over… ![“Characters should on the whole, be under rather than over articulate. What they intend to say should be more evident, more striking (because of its greater inner importance to the plot) than what they arrive at saying.” quote by Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/elizabeth-bowen-1197_character_characters-should-on-the-whole-be-under_1784663.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/elizabeth-bowen-1197_character_characters-should-on-the-whole-be-under_1784663.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f7/elizabeth-bowen-1197_character_characters-should-on-the-whole-be-under_1784663.png) > “Characters should on the whole, be under rather than over articulate. What they intend to say should be more evident, more striking (because of its greater inner importance to the plot) than what they arrive at saying.” [Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bowen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Characters should be concise; their true intentions must shine through more than their spoken words, emphasizing plot significance. **In simple terms:** Be concise; let intent be clear. Key Takeaway Prioritize meaning over verbosity. Themes writing dialogue clarity characterization plot Mood thoughtful analytical Type literary instructional When to use this quote - scriptwriting - novel drafting - theatre rehearsals - editing - directing Key Concepts Narrative economy subtext implicit meaning Questions to Reflect On - How can you convey intent with fewer words? - What risks arise from overly elaborate dialogue? A Different Perspective Over‑articulation can distract from core narrative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Articulate Intend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/articulate-intend-1891583/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters Articulate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-articulate-1891582/) [Evident](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evident/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Importance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/importance/) [Importance Plot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/importance-plot-906951/) [Intend Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intend-say-1891584/) [Plot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plot/) [Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [This element of surprise or mystery the detective element as it is sometimes rather emptily called is of great importance in a plot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/this-element-of-surprise-or-mystery-the-detective-element-as-it-is-3/) [E. 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Were he acontemplative purely, he would not write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bowen/temperamentally-the-writer-exists-on-happenings-on-contacts-conflicts/) [Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bowen/) > [“Are you really an orphan? Yes, I am, said Portia a shade shortly. Are you? No, not at present, but I suppose it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bowen/are-you-really-an-orphan-yes-i-am-said-portia-a-shade-shortly-are-you/) [Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bowen/) > [It is not our exalted feelings, it is our sentiments that build the necessary home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bowen/it-is-not-our-exalted-feelings-it-is-our-sentiments-that-build-the/) [Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bowen/) > [Every love has a poetic relevance of its own; each love brings to light only what to it is relevant. 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