Paraphrase Quote by Karen Salyer McElmurray
““Flannery O'Connor ... points out that 'a story really isn't good unless it successfully resists paraphrase. ...' ... Paraphrasing can force us into deeper levels of both story and self. O'Connor also says that a good story 'hangs on and expands the mind.' ... Most importantly, as we explore the largeness of stories, their 'macro' possibilities, we are forced further into the largeness of our own lives. The 'hidden' story, made visible, can be that which is most difficult to confront in our experiences and, at the same time, the story that demands to be told.””
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Literary analysis of Flannery O'Connor, 2019
Stories that resist paraphrase encourage deeper self‑reflection and expand mind.
In simple terms: Resisting paraphrase deepens insight.
Key Takeaway
Value stories that challenge easy summarization.
Themes
literature
self‑reflection
depth
creativity
Mood
insightful
inspirational
Type
academic
literary
When to use this quote
- teaching
- creative writing
- personal growth
Key Concepts
narrative theory
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does paraphrasing limit understanding?
- What stories have transformed your view?
A Different Perspective
Not all stories have macro possibilities.