Books Quote by G.K. Chesterton
““Just as we all like love tales because there is an instinct of sex, we all like astonishing tales because they touch the nerve of the ancient instinct of astonishment. This is proved by the fact that when we are very young children we do not need fairy tales: we only need tales. Mere life is interesting enough. A child of seven is excited by being told that Tommy opened a door and saw a dragon. But a child of three is excited by being told that Tommy opened a door. Boys like romantic tales; but babies like realistic tales -- because they find them romantic. In fact, a baby is about the only person, I should think, to whom a modern realistic novel could be read without boring him.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Art of the Novel” by G.K. Chesterton, 1906
Chesterton argues that humans are drawn to stories that tap into primal instincts—sex, astonishment, and romance—while children initially prefer simple, realistic narratives before developing a taste for fantasy.
In simple terms: Stories appeal to deep instincts; children first like realistic tales.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the instinctual roots of narrative appeal.
Themes
storytelling
instinct
development
literature
psychology
Mood
curious
analytical
thoughtful
Type
observational
analytical
educational
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- writing
- marketing
- media analysis
Key Concepts
human nature
cognitive development
narrative theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern media exploit these instincts?
- What role does age play in narrative preference?
A Different Perspective
Not all audiences respond uniformly; cultural context can shift preferences.
![“Boys like romantic [fairy] tales; but babies like realistic tales - because they find them romantic...This proves that even nursery tales only echo an almost prenatal leap of interest and amazement. These tales say that apples were golden only to refresh the forgotten moment when we found that…” quote by Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85d/gilbert-k-chesterton-223_amazement_boys-like-romantic-fairy-tales-but-babie_2563134.jpg)
