Born Quote by John Banville
“Fictional characters are made of words, not flesh; they do not have free will, they do not exercise volition. They are easily born, and as easily killed off.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Evidence, 1988
Fictional beings exist solely as linguistic constructs without agency, created and destroyed by authors.
In simple terms: Characters are words, not beings.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of narrative creation.
Themes
fiction
agency
creation
Mood
analytical
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- teaching literature
- media analysis
Key Concepts
literary theory
authorial control
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reader agency shape a story?
- Can characters gain meaning beyond author intent?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on authorial control can ignore reader interpretation.
