Artifice Quote by Martin Amis
“Language leads a double life - and so does the novelist. You chat with family and friends, you attend to your correspondence, you consult menus and shopping lists, you observe road signs, and so on. Then you enter your study, where language exists in quite another form - as the stuff of patterned artifice.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: "The Art of Fiction", 1995
The quote contrasts everyday utilitarian language with the crafted, artistic language of literature, showing how writers transform ordinary speech into art.
In simple terms: Everyday talk differs from the artistic language of novels.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the craft that turns ordinary words into art.
Themes
writing
language
art
creativity
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- editing
- teaching literature
- reading analysis
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
literary technique
dual nature of language
fiction
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this duality influence how we read everyday text?
- Can ordinary language become art without intent?
A Different Perspective
It may imply a hierarchy that undervalues everyday communication.
![“It had a language. It's a very emotional language that only exists in India, that part of [inaudible] so we wanted to use that. I had two versions - one with my voice and one with the girl's voice. But he preferred the girl's voice and he preferred my voice with an [inaudible].” quote by A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/65c/a-r-rahman-4481_emotional_it-had-a-language-it-s-a-very-emotional_2475557.jpg)
