A primary function of art and thought is to liberate the individual from the tyranny of his culture in the environmental sense and to permit him to stand beyond it in an autonomy of perception and judgment.
It doesn't matter if your lead character is good or bad. He just has to be interesting, and he has to be good at what he does.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The essence of a compelling narrative lies in the character's intrigue and competence, regardless of moral alignment.
In storytelling, the most captivating lead characters are those who possess depth and skill, whether they are portrayed as virtuous or villainous. David Chase emphasizes that it is not the moral standing of the character that determines their appeal, but rather their ability to engage the audience through their actions and personality. A well-crafted character can spark interest and drive the plot, leading to a more fulfilling narrative experience.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, when discussing character development, one might cite this quote to illustrate the importance of an engaging lead.
Similar quotes
I am part of a light, and it is the music. The Light fills my six senses: I see it, hear, feel, smell, touch and think. Thinking of it means my sixth sense. Particles of Light are written note. A bolt of lightning can be an entire sonata. A thousand balls of lightening is a concert.. For this concert I have created a Ball Lightning, which can be heard on the icy peaks of the Himalayas.
I remember the first time I ever showed my parents a song that I had written. The content may have been a little darker than they were used to, or really introspective in a way that may have been uncomfortable. I thought they'd retaliate with some kind of judgment or concern about whether I was feeling all right, but they were proud of it.
So much for endings. Beginnings are always more fun. True connoisseurs, however, are known to favor the stretch in between, since it's the hardest to do anything with. That's about all that can be said for plots, which anyway are just one thing after another, a what and a what and a what.
The essential thing is to spring forth, to express the bolt of lightning one senses upon contact with a thing. The function of the artist is not to translate an observation but to express the shock of the object on his nature; the shock, with the original reaction.
Fashion, which often seems to be on a path to be bigger, more Instagram-ready, can also achieve its best through sincerity.