---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That so much of our experience, or the…"
description: "\"That so much of our experience, or the stereotype which passes for it should be dealt with by means of the short story is perhaps a symptom not unnotic..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec6/howard-nemerov-12728_character_that-so-much-of-our-experience-or-the-st_2265243.jpg"
---

#  That so much of our experience, or the stereotype which…

![“That so much of our experience, or the stereotype which passes for it should be dealt with by means of the short story is perhaps a symptom not unnoticeable elsewhere in the public domain of an unlovely cynicism about human character.” quote by Howard Nemerov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec6/howard-nemerov-12728_character_that-so-much-of-our-experience-or-the-st_2265243.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec6/howard-nemerov-12728_character_that-so-much-of-our-experience-or-the-st_2265243.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec6/howard-nemerov-12728_character_that-so-much-of-our-experience-or-the-st_2265243.jpg)

> “That so much of our experience, or the stereotype which passes for it should be dealt with by means of the short story is perhaps a symptom not unnoticeable elsewhere in the public domain of an unlovely cynicism about human character.”

[Howard Nemerov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-nemerov/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote critiques how short stories often expose cynical views of human character, reflecting a broader cultural pessimism.

**In simple terms:** Short stories reveal cynical views of people.

Key Takeaway

Question the cynicism in cultural narratives.

Themes

literature criticism human nature

Mood

critical analytical

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- reading groups
- writing workshops
- media analysis

Key Concepts

cynicism social commentary

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we gravitate toward cynical stories?
- Can literature balance cynicism with hope?

A Different Perspective

Cynicism may overlook positive aspects of humanity.

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[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Cynicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynicism/) [Domain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/domain/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Pessimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimism/) [Public domain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-domain/) [Short story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-story/) [Stereotype](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotype/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/)

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