Characters Quote by Ernest Hemingway
““Don't let yourself slip and get any perfect characters... keep them people, people, people, and don't let them get to be symbols.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of the Short Story, Ernest Hemingway, 1952
Characters should remain human and flawed, not idealized symbols, to keep stories authentic and relatable.
In simple terms: Keep characters real, not perfect symbols.
Key Takeaway
Write flawed, relatable people.
Themes
authenticity
humanity
literary realism
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- character workshops
- personal narratives
Key Concepts
character theory
symbolism critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does imperfection deepen connection?
- When do symbols serve a purpose?
A Different Perspective
May limit thematic abstraction some some readers.
