The writer is the person who stands outside society, independent of affiliation and independent of influence.
Don DelilloRead
I like the construction of sentences and the juxtaposition of words-not just how they sound or what they mean, but even what they look like.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the beauty and complexity of language beyond just sound and meaning.
Don Delillo expresses an appreciation for the intricacies of language, highlighting how the construction of sentences and the arrangement of words contribute to their overall aesthetic and impact. He suggests that the visual aspect of words and their juxtaposition is as important as their auditory and semantic properties, reflecting a deep reverence for the art of writing.
Themes
LanguageWordsArtCommunicationConstruction
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on creative writing, this quote can illustrate the importance of word choice and arrangement.
More from Don Delillo
All quotes →War is the form nostalgia takes when men are hard-pressed to say something good about their country.
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American writers ought to stand and live in the margins, and be more dangerous.
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I used to think it was possible for an artist to alter the inner life of the culture. Now bomb-makers and gunmen have taken that territory.
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[I]n the American soul there is a lonely individual standing in a vast landscape. He is either on a horse or driving a car, depending, and either way he’s carrying a gun. This is one of the essential images in American mythology.
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