Artifice Quote by Steve Erickson
“To the extent that I've ever understood postmodernism - and I'm sure there are people out there who do, but I'm not one of them - one of its distinguishing traits is the story's awareness of its own artifice, and how that awareness becomes part of the story. And if that's right, then I have no idea how I ever got lumped into postmodernism except that I believe, since I was first published, people just haven't quite known where else to put me.”
About This Quote
The speaker reflects on postmodernism's self‑referential nature, questioning why they are categorized within it despite not fully grasping its principles.
In simple terms: Self‑awareness in narrative
Key Takeaway
Labeling can be arbitrary
Themes
self‑reference
literary theory
identity
categorization
postmodernism
Mood
introspective
wry
Type
critical
personal
When to use this quote
- academic discussions
- literary criticism
- author interviews
- publishing industry
Key Concepts
artifice
meta‑narrative
Practical Applications
- explaining literary movements
- self‑positioning in scholarship
Questions to Reflect On
- How does awareness of artifice affect a story's impact?
- When might a label misrepresent an author's intent?
