Was it always my nature to take a bad time and block out the good times, until any success became an accident and failure seemed the only truth?
Lillian HellmanRead
If you believe, as the Greeks did, that man is at the mercy of the gods, then you write tragedy. The end is inevitable from the beginning. But if you believe that man can solve his own problems and is at nobody's mercy, then you will probably write melodrama.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote contrasts two perspectives on human agency: one sees humans as subject to fate, while the other views them as capable of solving their own problems.
Lillian Hellman explores the idea that a writer's perception of human existence profoundly influences their storytelling. If one believes in fate and that humans are controlled by greater forces, their narratives will lean towards tragedy, depicting inevitable downfall and helplessness. Conversely, if one perceives humanity as capable of overcoming challenges and determining their own fate, their stories are likely to reflect a more optimistic view, resulting in melodramatic elements where characters actively engage with and resolve their conflicts.
Themes
FateTragedyMelodramaHuman AgencyStorytelling
In practice
Example use cases
In a literature class discussing the themes of fate and free will.
More from Lillian Hellman
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It is best to act with confidence, no matter how little right you have to it.
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Nobody knows what you want except you. And nobody will be as sorry as you if you don't get it. Wanting some other way to live is proof enough of deserving it. Having it is hard work, but not having it is sheer hell.
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Failure in the theater is more dramatic and uglier than any other form of writing. It costs so much, you feel so guilty.
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It is not good to see people who have been pretending strength all their lives lose it even for a minute.
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