20th century Quote by Gay Talese
“I am writing about people who are alive in the city of New York during mid-20th-century America. And these people are like a character in a play or they are figures in a short story or a novel”
About This Quote
Source Book: New York: The Novel, Gay Talese, 1976
Observes that everyday New Yorkers can be portrayed as vivid, dramatic characters in literature.
In simple terms: City dwellers can be literary characters.
Key Takeaway
Write with narrative depth about ordinary lives.
Themes
urban life
character study
mid‑20th century
American culture
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
observational
literary
When to use this quote
- documentary writing
- fictionalized memoir
- screenplay development
Key Concepts
sociology
storytelling
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How does setting shape character?
- What ethical limits exist in fictionalizing real people?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex individuals.
