Agree Quote by William T. Vollmann
“Most literary critics agree that fiction cannot be reduced to mere falsehood. Well-crafted protagonists come to life, pornography causes orgasms, and the pretense that life is what we want it to be may conceivably bring about the desired condition. Hence religious parables, socialist realism, Nazi propaganda. And if this story likewise crawls with reactionary supernaturalism, that might be because its author longs to see letters scuttling across ceilings, cautiously beginning to reify themselves into angels. For if they could only do that, then why not us?”
About This Quote
Source Book: Essays on Fiction, William T. Vollmann, 2005
Fiction can convey deeper truths than literal facts; stories shape perception and can inspire change.
In simple terms: Stories reveal truth beyond facts.
Use narrative to explore ideas.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- creative writing
- media criticism
- education
- activism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do stories influence your worldview?
- When can fiction become harmful?
Narratives may be misused to manipulate belief.