19th century Quote by John Irving
“I've always been a fan of the 19th century novel, of the novel that is plotted, character-driven, and where the passage of time is almost as central to the novel as a major minor character, the passage of time and its effect on the characters in the story.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The World According to Garp by John Irving, 1978
The quote praises novels where time itself acts like a character, shaping plot and people.
In simple terms: Time as a character enriches story depth.
Key Takeaway
Seek stories where time drives change.
Themes
literature
character development
temporal narrative
novel structure
storytelling
Mood
reflective
appreciative
Type
analytical
literary
When to use this quote
- reading clubs
- creative writing
- literary analysis
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
chronology
character arcs
thematic depth
Questions to Reflect On
- How does time influence character decisions?
- What novels treat time as a character?
A Different Perspective
Time can be overemphasized, reducing plot focus.
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