Absurdity Quote by Hampton Fancher
“I guess the freedom - poetic freedom - because the poetic part of short story form is an attempt to say something that's unsayable about one's incarcerated existence, and it's fun to come up with words to represent that condition, and it's fun to pull the tail of absurdity and rile it up, where you giggle at what you do or you get enthralled and in the short story.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Hampton Fancher on short story craft, 2015
Poetic freedom in short stories lets writers express the inexpressible, using absurdity and humor to explore confinement.
In simple terms: Short stories can capture the unsayable with humor.
Key Takeaway
Use absurdity to reveal deeper truths.
Themes
creativity
freedom
absurdity
expression
Mood
playful
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- experimental fiction
- therapy through storytelling
Key Concepts
literary theory
psychology
artistic constraint
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor help discuss serious topics?
- When does absurdity obscure meaning?
A Different Perspective
Risk of becoming self‑indulgent or inaccessible.
