PANTOMIME, n. A play in which the story is told without violence to the language. The least disagreeable form of dramatic action.
Interpretation
Pantomime is a form of storytelling that relies on gestures and expressions rather than spoken words, conveying emotion without linguistic violence.
In the quote by Ambrose Bierce, pantomime is described as a performance art that communicates a narrative through non-verbal means, emphasizing the idea that it can convey complex emotions without the potential harshness or disagreeableness associated with language. This highlights the beauty and efficacy of visual storytelling, suggesting that action and expression can convey feelings and stories powerfully and gracefully.
In practice
In a theater class, a teacher might use this quote to illustrate the importance of non-verbal communication in performance.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
But if a stranger in the train asks me my occupation, I never answer "writer" for fear that he may go on to ask me what I write, and to answer "poetry" would embarrass us both, for we both know that nobody can earn a living simply by writing poetry.
Americans want beauties, not me. I’m not the Parisian bombshell they expected. Can you see me as a chorus girl? Where’s my feather up the ass? They think I’m sad, they’re dumb. I don’t connect to them
And I think that after nearly 85 years upon this planet that I have a right after working so hard at showing the desolation and the poverty, to show something beautiful for somebody as well.
With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion.
I'm not a teacher; I'm not a historian. I'm trying to create a world for my characters.
I'm always terrified when I'm writing.
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