Hope Quote by John Gardner
““There seems little or no hope for the adult writer who produces sentences like these: "Her cheeks were thick and smooth and held a healthy natural red color. The heavy lines under them, her jowls, extended to the intersection of her lips and gave her a thick-lipped frown most of the time." The phrase "Her cheeks were thick and smooth" is normal English, but "[Her cheeks] held a healthy natural red color" is elevated, pseudo-poetic. The word "held" faintly hints at personification of "cheeks," and "healthy natural red color" is clunky, stilted, slightly bookish. The second sentence contains similar mistakes. The diction level of "extended to the intersection of her lips" is high and formal, in ferocious conflict with the end of the sentence, which plunges to the colloquial "most of the time.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Fiction, John Gardner, 1983
The quote critiques overwrought, pseudo‑poetic prose that mixes elevated diction with colloquial phrasing, resulting in awkward, inauthentic writing.
In simple terms: Overly fancy language clashes with everyday speech, making prose feel forced.
Key Takeaway
Aim for clear, natural language that matches the tone.
Themes
writing style
prose critique
literary analysis
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
literary criticism
instructional
When to use this quote
- editing drafts
- creative writing courses
- literary workshops
- peer review sessions
Key Concepts
pseudo‑poetry
personification
tone mismatch
Questions to Reflect On
- How does diction affect reader immersion?
- When is elevated language appropriate?
A Different Perspective
The passage may reflect a personal bias against certain stylistic choices, not a universal rule.
