--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [In art] you are telling the reader or…" description: "\"[In art] you are telling the reader or the listener or the viewer something he already knows but which he doesn't quite know that he knows, so that in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/walker-percy-1958_action_in-art-you-are-telling-the-reader-or-the_116938.jpg" --- # \[In art\] you are telling the reader or the listener or the… ![“[In art] you are telling the reader or the listener or the viewer something he already knows but which he doesn't quite know that he knows, so that in the action of communication he experiences a recognition, a feeling that he has been there before, a shock of recognition.” quote by Walker Percy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/walker-percy-1958_action_in-art-you-are-telling-the-reader-or-the_116938.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/walker-percy-1958_action_in-art-you-are-telling-the-reader-or-the_116938.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/walker-percy-1958_action_in-art-you-are-telling-the-reader-or-the_116938.jpg) > “\[In art\] you are telling the reader or the listener or the viewer something he already knows but which he doesn't quite know that he knows, so that in the action of communication he experiences a recognition, a feeling that he has been there before, a shock of recognition.” [Walker Percy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walker-percy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art conveys familiar truths that the audience subconsciously knows, creating a moment of recognition that feels like a déjà vu. **In simple terms:** Art triggers familiar, hidden knowledge. Key Takeaway Recognition deepens emotional impact. Themes art theory communication cognition aesthetic experience Mood thoughtful nostalgic Type aesthetic theory cognitive insight When to use this quote - literary analysis - film criticism - visual arts education Key Concepts shared unconscious knowledge Practical Applications - Design works that evoke recognition - Teach audiences to notice subtle cues Questions to Reflect On - Why does familiar unknown resonate more than new ideas? - How can creators balance novelty with recognition? A Different Perspective Recognition may be fleeting and not guarantee lasting insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Experiences Recognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiences-recognition-1374386/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Listeners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listeners/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reader/) [Recognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition/) [Recognition Feeling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition-feeling-1374384/) [Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shock/) [Telling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling/) [Telling Reader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-reader-1374385/) [Viewers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/viewers/) ## Related quotes > [“What is real for us is what we observe and recognize. 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