Ambiguity Quote by Laura Riding
“The new "ambiguity" means, in a way adjudged favorable to literary, poetic, intellectually and psychologically well-devised and praiseworthily executed linguistic performance, uncertainty of meaning, or difficulty for the interpreter in identifying just what the meaning in question is: it means the old meanings of ambiguity with a difference. It means uncertainty of meaning (of a word or combination of words) purposefully incorporated in a literary composition for the attainment of the utmost possible variety of meaning-play compressible within the verbal limits of the composition.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Ambiguity by Laura Riding, 1935
Deliberate uncertainty in language creates multiple layers of meaning, inviting varied interpretations and richer engagement.
In simple terms: Purposeful ambiguity expands meaning.
Key Takeaway
Embrace complexity in writing.
Themes
literature
language
interpretation
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
intriguing
Type
analytical
literary
When to use this quote
- poetry analysis
- creative writing workshops
- literary criticism
- teaching reading comprehension
Key Concepts
polysemy
semantic play
reader response
Questions to Reflect On
- How does intentional ambiguity affect reader comprehension?
- When does ambiguity become a barrier?
A Different Perspective
Ambiguity can confuse and alienate if overused.
![“I don't like realism. We already know the real facts about li[fe], most of the basic facts. I'm not interested in repeating what we already know. We know about sex, about violence, about murder, about war. All these things, by the time we're 18, we're up to here. From there on we need…” quote by Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/143/ray-bradbury-75_enough_i-don-t-like-realism-we-already-know-the_239875.jpg)
![“I remember once, I read in a horoscope, because I'm an Aries, I read this terrible thing, which really affected me, which said, "You will never be original. You will always be an interpreter." (Laughs) I thought, "Oh my God." You know, I had to live with that on my back for [all my life].” quote by Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/745/andy-serkis-1548_affected_i-remember-once-i-read-in-a-horoscope-be_196174.jpg)
![“She [Venison] had never travelled and so could invent all kinds of strange places without being limited, as travelled people are, by knowledge of certain places only.” quote by Laura Riding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c12/laura-riding-9995_all-kinds_she-venison-had-never-travelled-and-so-c_607803.jpg)
