The more research you do, the more at ease you are in the world you're writing about. It doesn't encumber you, it makes you free.
A. S. ByattRead
I am not sure how much good is done by moralising about fairy tales. This can be unsubtle - telling children that virtue will be rewarded, when in fact it is mostly simply the fact of being the central character that ensures a favourable outcome. Fairy tales are not, on the whole, parables.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote questions the effectiveness of imparting moral lessons through fairy tales, suggesting that outcomes are often based on narrative roles rather than virtues.
A. S. Byatt critiques the common practice of moralizing fairy tales, which often imply that being virtuous will lead to a rewarding outcome. Instead, she argues that these stories typically favor the main character regardless of their moral standing, highlighting that narrative structure plays a significant role in determining outcomes rather than ethical behavior.
Themes
Fairy TalesMoralityNarrativeVirtueCharacters
In practice
Example use cases
During a lesson on storytelling, one might reference this quote to emphasize the difference between fiction and moral lessons.
More from A. S. Byatt
All quotes →It's because I'm a feminist that I can't stand women limiting other women's imaginations. It really makes me angry.
A. S. ByattRead
Why do we take pleasure in gruesome death, neatly packaged as a puzzle to which we may find a satisfactory solution through clues - or if we are not clever enough, have it revealed by the all-powerful tale-teller at the end of the book? It is something to do with being reduced to, and comforted by, playing by the rules.
A. S. ByattRead
Never stop paying attention to things. Never make your mind up finally. Do not hold beliefs.
A. S. ByattRead
Only write to me, write to me, I love to see the hop and skip and sudden starts of your ink.
A. S. ByattRead
I am a creature of my pen. My pen is the best of me.
A. S. ByattRead
Similar quotes
China had never had to deal in a world of countries of approximately equal strength, and so to adjust to such a world, is in itself a profound challenge to China, which now has fourteen countries on its borders, some of which are small, but can project their nationality into China, some of which are large, and historically significant, so that any attempt by Chinese to dominate the world, would involve in a disastrous for the peace of the world.
Henry A. KissingerRead
The most formidable people in the world, and now the most dangerous, people who... lay down the doctrine that every frontier must be the starting out point for invasion.
Winston ChurchillRead
I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in.
Virginia WoolfRead
It may be that we have become so feckless as a people that we no longer care how things do work, but only what kind of quick, easy outer impression they give. If so, there is little hope for our cities or probably for much else in our society. But I do not think this is so.
Jane JacobsRead
Things looked at patiently from one side after another generally end by showing a side that is beautiful.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over again from the ground floor-that is the only way out of a "hole." This process of surrender-this movement full speed astern-is repentance.
C. S. LewisRead