Agony Quote by William Faulkner
“Our tragedy today is a general and universal physical fear so long sustained by now that we can even bear it. There are no longer problems of the spirit. There is only the question: When will I be blown up? Because of this, the young man or woman writing today has forgotten the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself which alone can make good writing because only that is worth writing about, worth the agony and the sweat. He must learn them again.”
About This Quote
The quote laments modern society's fixation on external threats, neglecting internal emotional struggles that fuel authentic artistic expression.
In simple terms: Modern fear eclipses inner conflict.
Key Takeaway
True art arises from personal turmoil.
Themes
existential angst
cultural critique
artistic authenticity
psychological depth
societal distraction
Mood
reflective
melancholic
critical
Type
philosophical
critical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writers confronting societal panic
- students analyzing contemporary literature
- readers feeling alienated by media
- artists seeking authentic inspiration
- critics evaluating modern narratives
Key Concepts
fear
inner conflict
creative process
human condition
Practical Applications
- Encouraging writers to explore personal dilemmas
- Teaching literature courses on inner vs. outer conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- How does external fear shape our inner narratives?
- Can authentic art exist without personal struggle?
![“[W]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range of music, and will not vibrate in the least under a touch that fills others with tremulous rapture or quivering agony.” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9be/george-eliot-84_agony_w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves_12409.jpg)
