Poetry is a vocation. It is not a career but a calling.
Edward HirschRead
The job of a storyteller is to speak the truth. But what we feel most deeply can’t be spoken in words alone. At this level, only images connect. And here, story becomes symbol; symbol is myth. And myth is truth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Storytellers convey deep truths through symbols and images rather than mere words.
In this quote, Alan Garner emphasizes the profound nature of storytelling, suggesting that the truest feelings and experiences often cannot be fully captured through words alone. Instead, the storyteller employs symbols and images that resonate on a deeper level, transforming simple narratives into powerful myths that convey greater truths about the human experience.
Themes
StorytellingTruthSymbolMythImages
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop on creative writing, one might use this quote to discuss the importance of imagery in storytelling.
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