Architecture Quote by Zadie Smith
“I was thinking about the generation before us, like John Barth and all of those pomo dudes who had that idea of, instead of hiding the structure and making it look organic and natural, we're going to put the structure on the outside. But most of the time, at least for me, all I could attend to [in Swing Time] was that act of structural self-consciousness.”
About This Quote
The speaker reflects on postmodern literature's tendency to expose its own structure, contrasting it with more organic storytelling, and notes personal focus on this self‑consciousness in the novel Swing Time.
In simple terms: Postmodern works often highlight their own construction.
Key Takeaway
Notice how structure influences narrative.
Themes
literature
postmodernism
narrative technique
Mood
analytical
contemplative
Type
critical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- reading novels
- writing analysis
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
self‑reflexivity
structural awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does structural awareness affect immersion?
- Can self‑consciousness enhance meaning?
A Different Perspective
Some readers may find overt structure distracting.
