Allegory Quote by Ernest Hemingway
““Every novel which is truly written contributes to the total of knowledge which is there at the disposal of the next writer who comes, but the next writer must pay, always, a certain nominal percentage in experience to be able to understand and assimilate what is available as his birthright and what he must, in turn, take his departure from. If a writer of prose knows enough about what he is writing about he may omit things that he knows and the reader, if the writer is writing truly enough, will have a feeling of those things as strongly as though the writer had stated them. The dignity of movement of an ice-berg is due to only one-eighth of it being above water. A writer who omits things because he does not know them only makes hollow places in his writing. A writer who appreciates the seriousness of writing so little that he is anxious to make people see he is formally educated, cultured or well-bred is merely a popinjay. And this too remember; a serious writer is not to be confounded with a solemn writer. A serious writer may be a hawk or a buzzard or even a popinjay, but a solemn writer is always a bloody owl.””
About This Quote
A writer must deeply understand their subject, implying what’s known, and convey it so readers feel the unseen; true depth distinguishes serious from merely solemn writing.
In simple terms: Writers should master their topic and let readers sense the hidden depth.
Key Takeaway
Master your craft, trust implication.
Themes
writing
knowledge
depth
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- creative nonfiction
- academic prose
Key Concepts
literary technique
authorial voice
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance knowledge with subtlety?
- When should a writer omit details?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on formal education can hinder authentic expression.
