20th century Quote by Philip Pullman
“The moment in the account of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis is when they realize they're naked and try and cover themselves with fig leaves. That seemed to me a perfect allegory of what happened in the 20th century with regard to literary modernism. Literary modernism grew out of a sense that, “Oh my god! I'm telling a story! Oh, that can't be the case, because I'm a clever person. I'm a literary person! What am I going to do to distinguish myself?...a lot of modernism does seem to come out of a fear of being thought an ordinary storyteller.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: BBC Radio 4, 2008
Modernist writers often hide behind complexity to avoid being seen as ordinary, fearing loss of uniqueness.
In simple terms: Writers fear being ordinary, so they overcomplicate.
Key Takeaway
Embrace authenticity over forced originality.
Themes
art
literature
identity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- literary criticism
- author talks
- creative coaching
Key Concepts
modernism
self-consciousness
creative insecurity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we sometimes hide behind complexity?
- How can authenticity be cultivated in art?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can alienate readers if not purposeful.
