Adjectives Quote by Lewis Carroll
““The question is, which is to be master? That's all. They've a temper, some of them. Particularly verbs. Oh, they're the proudest! Adjectives, eh, you can do anything with, but not verbs however.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Through the Looking-Glass, 1871
Language parts of speech have hierarchies; verbs are seen as dominant over adjectives.
In simple terms: Verbs are portrayed as powerful, adjectives less so.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the flexibility of all word types.
Themes
language
grammar
power dynamics
creativity
Mood
playful
witty
Type
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- language teaching
- creative writing
- public speaking
Key Concepts
linguistics
semantic hierarchy
literary humor
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor reveal our biases about language?
- Can we challenge perceived hierarchies in speech?
A Different Perspective
The view is humorous and not a literal linguistic rule.
