Every book is three books, after all; the one the writer intended, the one the reader expected, and the one that casts its shadow when the first two meet by moonlight.
John M. FordRead
I long for the simplicity of theatre. I want lessons learned, comeuppances delivered, people sorted out, all before your bladder gets distractingly full. That's what I want. What I know is what we all know, whether we'll admit it or not: every attempt to impose the roundness of a well-made play on reality produces a disaster. Life just isn't so, nor will it be made so.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a desire for the simplicity and clarity of theatre, contrasting it with the chaos and complexity of real life.
John M. Ford expresses a longing for the straightforward narratives found in theatre, where conflicts are resolved and lessons are learned quickly. However, he recognizes that real life is far more complicated than fiction, and attempts to impose such simplicity on the chaotic nature of reality are bound to fail, leading to disaster.
Themes
TheatreRealitySimplicityComplexityLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about storytelling techniques, this quote can emphasize the difference between theatre and real-world experiences.
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