Character Quote by Rachel Kushner
“I shy away from plot structure that depends on the characters behaving in ways that are going to eventually be explained by their childhood, or by some recent trauma or event. People are incredibly complicated. Who knows why they are the way they are?”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2018
The author avoids plots that reduce characters to trauma‑driven explanations, emphasizing human complexity and mystery.
In simple terms: People are complex, not just defined by past events.
Key Takeaway
Embrace character depth beyond simple backstories.
Themes
complexity
character
human nature
Mood
curious
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- character development
- storytelling
- creative process
Key Concepts
literature
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden forces shape a character’s choices?
- How can you show complexity without explicit backstory?
A Different Perspective
Simplifying motives can flatten narratives.
