--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Christopher Isherwood tried to trick a…" description: "\"“Christopher Isherwood tried to trick a good topic into rising from his unconscious by irritating it, “deliberately writing nonsense until it intervene..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/790/ralph-keyes-25968_nonsense_christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-g_2222118.jpg" --- # Christopher Isherwood tried to trick a good topic into… ![“Christopher Isherwood tried to trick a good topic into rising from his unconscious by irritating it, “deliberately writing nonsense until it intervenes, as it were, saying, ‘All right, you idiot, let me fix this.” quote by Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/790/ralph-keyes-25968_nonsense_christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-g_2222118.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/790/ralph-keyes-25968_nonsense_christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-g_2222118.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/790/ralph-keyes-25968_nonsense_christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-g_2222118.jpg) > ““Christopher Isherwood tried to trick a good topic into rising from his unconscious by irritating it, “deliberately writing nonsense until it intervenes, as it were, saying, ‘All right, you idiot, let me fix this.”” [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests that deliberate nonsense can provoke the unconscious to surface ideas. **In simple terms:** Use playful nonsense to unlock deeper thoughts. Key Takeaway Write absurdly to spark insight. Themes creativity writing unconscious mind Mood inspirational reflective Type literary psychological When to use this quote - journaling - brainstorming - artist block - therapy sessions Key Concepts psychoanalysis literary technique Questions to Reflect On - When have you used nonsense to solve a problem? - What limits does this method have? A Different Perspective May produce irrelevant content; requires discipline to filter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christopher Isherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christopher-isherwood-1962902/) [Irritating Deliberately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irritating-deliberately-4964095/) [Nonsense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonsense/) [Nonsense Intervenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonsense-intervenes-4964094/) [Writing Nonsense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-nonsense-946960/) ## Related quotes > [Christopher Isherwood's eponymous character in 'Mr Norris Takes the Train' reminds me of Boris Johnson, who seems to have stumbled and bumbled into power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-foster/christopher-isherwood-s-eponymous-character-in-mr-norris-takes-the/) [Dawn Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-foster/) > [“I'm like a book you have to read. A book can't read itself to you. It doesn't even know what it's about.” Christopher Isherwood,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-isherwood/i-m-like-a-book-you-have-to-read-a-book-can-t-read-itself-to-you-it-2/) [Christopher Isherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-isherwood/) > [“No one ever hates without a cause…” Christopher Isherwood, A Single Man”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-isherwood/no-one-ever-hates-without-a-cause-christopher-isherwood-a-single-man/) [Christopher Isherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-isherwood/) > [I discovered Christopher Isherwood in college. His writing style is so direct, warm, and inclusive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-danes/i-discovered-christopher-isherwood-in-college-his-writing-style-is-so/) [Claire Danes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-danes/) > [I think myself I ought to be shot for writing such nonsense… But it's unquestionably good escapist literature and I think I should rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/i-think-myself-i-ought-to-be-shot-for-writing-such-nonsense-but-it-s-2/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“Orafoura told me my writing is all nonsense. “Nonsense,” I replied. “Glad you agree, “ he said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/orafoura-told-me-my-writing-is-all-nonsense-nonsense-i-replied-glad/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [In the faculty of writing nonsense, stupidity is no match for genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-bagehot/in-the-faculty-of-writing-nonsense-stupidity-is-no-match-for-genius/) [Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bagehot/) > [A malefactor who atones for making your writing nonsense by permitting the compositor to make it unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-malefactor-who-atones-for-making-your-writing-nonsense-by/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“A school for the writing of nonsense and the pursuit of extraordinary activities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-almond/a-school-for-the-writing-of-nonsense-and-the-pursuit-of-extraordinary/) [David Almond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-almond/) > [Films take too long. There's too much BS, too much nonsense. If I want to do a play, I just call the theater, whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/films-take-too-long-there-s-too-much-bs-too-much-nonsense-if-i-want/) [John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/) > [ It's \[Los Angeles\] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense-and-delusion-and-egomania/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [GenX has a no-nonsense attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-dev/genx-has-a-no-nonsense-attitude/) [Rahul Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-dev/) > [People forget that there is a big difference between coercion and persuasion. The idea that evangelism is coercive is nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/people-forget-that-there-is-a-big-difference-between-coercion-and/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I love people who have such passion for complete nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/i-love-people-who-have-such-passion-for-complete-nonsense/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) ## More by Ralph Keyes > [“If you are in difficulties with a book,” suggested H. G. Wells, “try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/if-you-are-in-difficulties-with-a-book-suggested-h-g-wells-try-the/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [“Find tricks to keep yourself going,” William Least Heat Moon once advised a group of aspiring writers. “Anything you can do to trick yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/find-tricks-to-keep-yourself-going-william-least-heat-moon-once/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [“Fear flushes clogged pores of perception.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/fear-flushes-clogged-pores-of-perception/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [“Henrik Ibsen hung a picture of August Strindberg over his desk. “He is my mortal enemy and shall hang there and watch while I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/henrik-ibsen-hung-a-picture-of-august-strindberg-over-his-desk-he-is/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [Anxiety is not only an inevitable part of the writing process but a necessary part. If you’re not scared, you’re not writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/anxiety-is-not-only-an-inevitable-part-of-the-writing-process-but-a/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [Willa Cather said that she write best when she stopped trying to write and began simply to remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/willa-cather-said-that-she-write-best-when-she-stopped-trying-to/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [Serious writers write, inspired or not. Over time they discover that routine is a better friend than inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/serious-writers-write-inspired-or-not-over-time-they-discover-that/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [One thing I like about writing is that it provides such a wonderful opportunity for confidential chats with readers. In the privacy of writing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/one-thing-i-like-about-writing-is-that-it-provides-such-a-wonderful/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [“One thing that separates would-be writers from working writers is that the latter know their work will never match their dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/one-thing-that-separates-would-be-writers-from-working-writers-is/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [Be as creative in your tactics as you are in your writing. Find what gets your engine going, no matter how peculiar it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/be-as-creative-in-your-tactics-as-you-are-in-your-writing-find-what/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [Fear is felt by writers at every level. Anxiety accompanies the first word they put on paper and the last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/fear-is-felt-by-writers-at-every-level-anxiety-accompanies-the-first/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [“...fear and courage are like lightning and thunder; they both sart out at the same time, but the fear travels faster and arrives sooner.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/fear-and-courage-are-like-lightning-and-thunder-they-both-sart-out-at/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [I'm tempted to say that the top three reasons for hopelessness are rejection, rejection, rejection. But let's cast our net wider. 1) Not being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/i-m-tempted-to-say-that-the-top-three-reasons-for-hopelessness-are/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [“Success as a writer is within the grasp of whoever can tell a story on paper that people want to hear, and is willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/success-as-a-writer-is-within-the-grasp-of-whoever-can-tell-a-story/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [“I put on several different outfits. The advantage of not knowing who you are is you can attempt to be all things to all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/i-put-on-several-different-outfits-the-advantage-of-not-knowing-who/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) [Explore all 22 Ralph Keyes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) ## More Nonsense quotes > [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [I love people who have such passion for complete nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/i-love-people-who-have-such-passion-for-complete-nonsense/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [People forget that there is a big difference between coercion and persuasion. The idea that evangelism is coercive is nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/people-forget-that-there-is-a-big-difference-between-coercion-and/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [GenX has a no-nonsense attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-dev/genx-has-a-no-nonsense-attitude/) [Rahul Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-dev/) > [ It's \[Los Angeles\] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense-and-delusion-and-egomania/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Films take too long. There's too much BS, too much nonsense. If I want to do a play, I just call the theater, whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/films-take-too-long-there-s-too-much-bs-too-much-nonsense-if-i-want/) [John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/) > [While all men are born as equals, to say that Brahmins alone are the highest and all others are low as Pariah (the Untouchables)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/periyar-e-v-ramasamy/while-all-men-are-born-as-equals-to-say-that-brahmins-alone-are-the/) [Periyar E. V. Ramasamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/periyar-e-v-ramasamy/) > [Even God has been defended with nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/even-god-has-been-defended-with-nonsense/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [The idea that there is a difference between East and West is nonsense. You both hand over your card with two hands. If someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-tang/the-idea-that-there-is-a-difference-between-east-and-west-is-nonsense/) [David Tang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-tang/) > [Unless you see your nature, all this talk about cause & effect is nonsense. Buddhas don't practice nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bodhidharma/unless-you-see-your-nature-all-this-talk-about-cause-effect-is/) [Bodhidharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bodhidharma/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [It is often sadly remarked that the bad economists present their errors to the public better than the good economists present their truths. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hazlitt/it-is-often-sadly-remarked-that-the-bad-economists-present-their/) [Henry Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hazlitt/) > [“Which distressed that Old Man of Jamaica. nonsense”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lear/which-distressed-that-old-man-of-jamaica-nonsense/) [Edward Lear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-lear/) > [I hope the day will come when a wasp-waist and a pair of thin shoulders will not be esteemed beauty: we have had our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-mcnair-wright/i-hope-the-day-will-come-when-a-wasp-waist-and-a-pair-of-thin/) [Julia McNair Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-mcnair-wright/) [Browse all 1,436 Nonsense quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonsense/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Christopher Isherwood tried to trick a good topic into rising from his unconscious by irritating it, “deliberately writing nonsense until it intervenes, as it were, saying, ‘All right, you idiot, let me fix this.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Keyes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-good-topic-into-rising-from/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Nonsense" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-good-topic-into-rising-from/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/790/ralph-keyes-25968_nonsense_christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-g_2222118.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/790/ralph-keyes-25968_nonsense_christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-g_2222118.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/790/ralph-keyes-25968_nonsense_christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-g_2222118.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Christopher Isherwood tried to trick a good topic into rising from his unconscious by irritating it…” — Ralph Keyes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ralph Keyes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Christopher Isherwood tried to trick a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-good-topic-into-rising-from/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/christopher-isherwood-tried-to-trick-a-good-topic-into-rising-from/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```