We wait till now? Now, when we're old men, we get to be brave?
Ernest GainesRead
I have learned as much about writing about my people by listening to blues and jazz and spirituals as I have by reading novels.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Ernest Gaines emphasizes the importance of music in understanding and expressing cultural narratives.
In this quote, Gaines highlights that his insights into writing about his community and its experiences have been profoundly influenced by the rich musical traditions of blues, jazz, and spirituals. This suggests that art forms like music can offer deep understandings of personal and collective identities, serving as a vital companion to literary learning.
Themes
WritingMusicBluesJazzSpiritualsCultureIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a presentation on the influence of music on literature.
More from Ernest Gaines
All quotes βI was raised by a lady that was crippled all her life but she did everything for me and she raised me. She washed our clothes, cooked our food, she did everything for us. I don't think I ever heard her complain a day in her life. She taught me responsibility towards my brother and sisters and the community.
Ernest GainesRead
...my heart may have been in it but my soul was not.
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Everything's been said, but it needs saying again.
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Question everything. Every stripe, every star, every word spoken. Everything.
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The Six Golden Rules of Writing: Read, read, read, and write, write, write.
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