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Quote by William H. Gass

Work

Finding a Form: Essays

This book is a compilation of essays that delve into the exploration and analysis of different forms of expression and intellectual thought. The essays may cover a range of topics, including literature, philosophy, and the arts, offering insights into the structure and purpose of various forms of communication. more

Author

William H. Gass
William H. Gass

William H. Gass, born on July 30, 1924, is an accomplished American novelist. His works are renowned for their unique style and profound philosophical insights, making him a significant figure in 20th-century American literature. more

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“But novels are never about what they are about; that is, there is always deeper, or more general, significance. The author may not be aware of this till she is pretty far along with it. A novel's whole pattern is rarely apparent at the outset of writing, or even at the end; that is when the writer finds out what a novel is about, and the job becomes one of understanding and deepening or sharpening what is already written. That is finding the theme.”

“Too many poets write poems which are only difficult on the surface, difficult because the dramatic situation is easily misunderstood. It's not difficult to write poems that are misunderstood. A drunk, a three-year-old-they are easily misunderstood. What is difficult is being clear and mysterious at the same time. The dramatic situation needs to be as clear in a poem as it is in a piece of good journalism. The why is part of the mystery, but the who, what, where, and when should all be understood.”