Analysis brings no curative powers in its train; it merely makes us conscious of the existence of an evil, which, oddly enough, is consciousness.
Henry MillerRead
Realism is not a matter of any fidelity to an empirical reality, but of the discursive conventions by which and for which a sense of reality is constructed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Realism focuses on how reality is constructed through language and social discourse rather than just objective observation.
In this quote, John Fiske emphasizes that realism goes beyond mere representation of an empirical reality. Instead, it is shaped by the conventions of discourse that influence our understanding and perception of what is considered real. This perspective suggests that our grasp of reality is heavily influenced by cultural and social frameworks rather than just the physical world that we observe.
Themes
RealismRealityDiscoursePerceptionConstruction
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about art and its representation of reality, this quote can illustrate how artworks are not just portrayals but interpretations shaped by societal norms.
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