Sentimentality Quote by John Gardner
““Sentimentality, in all its forms, is the attempt to get some effect without providing due cause. (I take it for granted that the reader understands the difference between sentiment in fiction, that is, emotion and feeling, and sentimentality, emotion or feeling that rings false, usually because achieved by some form of cheating or exaggeration. Without sentiment, fiction is worthless. Sentimentality, on the other hand, can make mush of the finest characters, actions, and ideas.) The theory of fiction as a viid, uninterrupted dream in the reader's mind logically requires an assertion that legitimate cause in fiction can be of only one kind: drama; that is, character in action.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Fiction, 1983
Sentimentality lacks genuine cause, reducing fiction to cheap emotion; true drama stems from character action.
In simple terms: Sentimentality is cheap emotion; real drama comes from character actions.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize authentic character-driven drama.
Themes
fiction
emotion
sentimentality
drama
authenticity
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- creative workshops
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
literary theory
narrative structure
character development
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance emotion and authenticity?
- When does sentiment become manipulative?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on sentiment can alienate discerning readers.
