Charade Quote by Lorrie Moore
““This ceremony of approval was a charade - everything had been decided before we got here - and as with all charades it was wanly ebullient, necessary, and thin.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Ceremony of Approval”, 1995
The narrator sees a formal approval process as a superficial performance, pre‑determined and lacking genuine enthusiasm, yet still considered necessary.
In simple terms: Approval feels like a hollow, forced ritual.
Key Takeaway
Question the authenticity of ritualistic approvals.
Themes
ritual
performance
authenticity
bureaucracy
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- corporate meetings
- award ceremonies
- political endorsements
- academic defenses
Key Concepts
charade
emptiness
forced enthusiasm
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we continue rituals that feel empty?
- Can sincerity be restored in formal processes?
A Different Perspective
Even staged rituals can reinforce power structures.
