--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like plays where people talk a lot…" description: "\"I like plays where people talk a lot. Conversation is sustained. Argument is sustained.\" — Tom Stoppard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbe/tom-stoppard-437_argument_i-like-plays-where-people-talk-a-lot-con_2240581.png" --- # I like plays where people talk a lot. Conversation is… ![“I like plays where people talk a lot. Conversation is sustained. Argument is sustained.” quote by Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbe/tom-stoppard-437_argument_i-like-plays-where-people-talk-a-lot-con_2240581.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbe/tom-stoppard-437_argument_i-like-plays-where-people-talk-a-lot-con_2240581.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dbe/tom-stoppard-437_argument_i-like-plays-where-people-talk-a-lot-con_2240581.png) > “I like plays where people talk a lot. Conversation is sustained. Argument is sustained.” [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote praises dialogue‑driven drama where characters engage in prolonged, substantive exchanges. **In simple terms:** Enjoys dialogue‑heavy plays. Key Takeaway Seek works with rich conversation. Themes theatre dialogue intellectual engagement Mood thoughtful analytical Type theatrical critical When to use this quote - script analysis - acting workshops - theatre criticism Key Concepts dramatic structure character interaction Questions to Reflect On - How does sustained dialogue affect pacing? - What makes an argument compelling on stage? A Different Perspective May overlook visual storytelling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Argument Sustained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument-sustained-5077685/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Conversation Sustained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation-sustained-5077683/) [Like Plays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-plays-1584891/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-talk/) [Plays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plays/) [Sustained Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sustained-argument-5077684/) [Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk/) ## Related quotes > [I always like to do serious plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-rae/i-always-like-to-do-serious-plays/) [Charlotte Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-rae/) > [My background is on the stage, so when I'd write movies, they'd be a lot like plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/my-background-is-on-the-stage-so-when-i-d-write-movies-they-d-be-a/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [I'm sick of all these knights in shining armor parts, I want to do something worthwhile like plays and films that have something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrone-power/i-m-sick-of-all-these-knights-in-shining-armor-parts-i-want-to-do/) [Tyrone Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrone-power/) > [I'd like to do plays, maybe a one man show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-reno/i-d-like-to-do-plays-maybe-a-one-man-show/) [Jean Reno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-reno/) > [Some people would see a person like me who plays football and be star-struck. From my perspective, I'm just a person, but I'm able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sony-michel/some-people-would-see-a-person-like-me-who-plays-football-and-be-star/) [Sony Michel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sony-michel/) > [I'd like to have one of my plays on Broadway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/del-shores/i-d-like-to-have-one-of-my-plays-on-broadway/) [Del Shores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/del-shores/) > [I like musicals that look more like plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-timbers/i-like-musicals-that-look-more-like-plays/) [Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-timbers/) > [I wrote a lot when I was younger, though never anything like plays or scripts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merritt-wever/i-wrote-a-lot-when-i-was-younger-though-never-anything-like-plays-or/) [Merritt Wever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merritt-wever/) > [I like plays, movies, everything. It doesn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dorn/i-like-plays-movies-everything-it-doesn-t-matter/) [Michael Dorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dorn/) > [There is no better indication of what the people of any period are like than the plays they go to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-hamilton/there-is-no-better-indication-of-what-the-people-of-any-period-are/) [Edith Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-hamilton/) > [To be really honest, I do not mind whether it is offense or defense. I just like being in on plays and doing what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-edelman/to-be-really-honest-i-do-not-mind-whether-it-is-offense-or-defense-i/) [Julian Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-edelman/) > [Chekhov directors and Chekhov actors love working on his plays because there seems to be no end to what you can find out about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/chekhov-directors-and-chekhov-actors-love-working-on-his-plays/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [“Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/words-are-sacred-they-deserve-respect-if-you-get-the-right-ones-in/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [You can't go around chasing your own plays and showing up every time somebody does one somewhere. You just cross your fingers and hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/you-can-t-go-around-chasing-your-own-plays-and-showing-up-every-time/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [In the end, one has to feel lucky that things fell out O.K. I've felt that all the years I've been writing plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/in-the-end-one-has-to-feel-lucky-that-things-fell-out-o-k-i-ve-felt/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## More by Tom Stoppard > [If I wanted to change the world, the last thing I would do is write a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-i-wanted-to-change-the-world-the-last-thing-i-would-do-is-write-a/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [If you want to change something by Tuesday, theater is no good. Journalism is what does that. But, if you want to just alter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-you-want-to-change-something-by-tuesday-theater-is-no-good/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [After all these years, I definitely associate having a pen in my hand with having an ashtray just out of eye line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/after-all-these-years-i-definitely-associate-having-a-pen-in-my-hand/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [The universe is deterministic all right, just like Newton said, I mean it's trying to be, but the only thing going wrong is people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-universe-is-deterministic-all-right-just-like-newton-said-i-mean/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For me, human rights simply endorse a view of life and a set of moral values that are perfectly clear to an eight-year-old child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-me-human-rights-simply-endorse-a-view-of-life-and-a-set-of-moral/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [“What is an artist? For every thousand people there's nine hundred doing the work, ninety doing well, nine doing good, and one lucky bastard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/what-is-an-artist-for-every-thousand-people-there-s-nine-hundred/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over... Death is not anything... death is not... It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/dying-is-not-romantic-and-death-is-not-a-game-which-will-soon-be-over/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I'm not interested in clothes; I just like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-m-not-interested-in-clothes-i-just-like-them/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For 10 years of my life, 3 times a day, I thanked the Lord for what I was about to receive and thanked him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-10-years-of-my-life-3-times-a-day-i-thanked-the-lord-for-what-i/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [You should not translate for more than two hours at a time. After that, you lose your edge, the language becomes clumsy, rigid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/you-should-not-translate-for-more-than-two-hours-at-a-time-after-that/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [No matter how imperfect things are, if you've got a free press everything is correctable, and without it everything is concealable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/no-matter-how-imperfect-things-are-if-you-ve-got-a-free-press/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/we-must-be-born-with-an-intuition-of-mortality-before-we-know-the/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Eternity's a terrible thought. I mean, where's it all going to end?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/eternity-s-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-where-s-it-all-going-to-end/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [There is truth and falsehood in a comma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/there-is-truth-and-falsehood-in-a-comma/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) [Explore all 559 Tom Stoppard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## More Argument quotes > [A flourishing, morally credible media is a vital component in the maintenance of genuinely public talk, argument about common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/a-flourishing-morally-credible-media-is-a-vital-component-in-the/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/) [Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/on-the-stage-the-characters-express-themselves-more-through-words/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [One argument goes that recessions are good for female artists because when money flies out the window, women are allowed in the house. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/one-argument-goes-that-recessions-are-good-for-female-artists-because/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) > [“Arguments led by subjectivity are a waste of time. And, if they take place online, add to that, a waste of one’s keyboard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/arguments-led-by-subjectivity-are-a-waste-of-time-and-if-they-take/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [If in the middle of an argument I suddenly fall silent it does not mean you have won... No it means you should probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/if-in-the-middle-of-an-argument-i-suddenly-fall-silent-it-does-not/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [Don't get divorced after your first argument! I have a lot of friends that have one fight and that's it, they get divorced. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/don-t-get-divorced-after-your-first-argument-i-have-a-lot-of-friends/) [Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/) > [“The motive behind my arguments have always been to come at truth. I am not interested in conquering anyone with my ideologies or seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-evans/the-motive-behind-my-arguments-have-always-been-to-come-at-truth-i-am/) [Crystal Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-evans/) > [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/) [John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/) [Browse all 3,479 Argument quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I like plays where people talk a lot. Conversation is sustained. 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