“I seem to know all the cliches, but not how to put them together in a believable way. Or else these stories are terrible and grandiose precisely because all the cliches intertwine in an unrealistic way and you can't disentangle them. But when you actually live a cliche, it feels brand new, and you are unashamed.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Umberto Eco, the author reflects on the idea of cliches in storytelling and how they can sometimes feel unoriginal or unrealistic when put together in a certain way. Eco suggests that when one actually lives out a cliche in real life, it can feel new and refreshing, rather than cliched. This quote speaks to the idea of authenticity and the power of personal experience in overcoming cliches.
Understanding the Power of Clichés in Modern Storytelling
Umberto Eco's quote sheds light on the paradoxical nature of clichés in storytelling. While clichés are often seen as overused and unoriginal, Eco suggests that when experienced in real life, they can actually feel fresh and authentic. In today's world of storytelling, where clichés are often unavoidable, this quote reminds us to embrace the familiarity of clichés and find new ways to make them resonate with audiences.
Umberto Eco on the Nature of Cliches
"I seem to know all the cliches, but not how to put them together in a believable way. Or else these stories are terrible and grandiose precisely because all the cliches intertwine in an unrealistic way and you can't disentangle them. But when you actually live a cliche, it feels brand new, and you are unashamed." - Umberto Eco
Reflection Questions:
This quote by Umberto Eco explores the idea of cliches and their relationship to real-life experiences. Consider the following questions to reflect on this concept:
- Can you think of a time when you experienced a cliche in a way that felt brand new to you?
- How do cliches play a role in shaping our understanding of storytelling and our own lived experiences?
- In what ways do cliches intertwine in unrealistic ways, and how does this affect our perception of them?
- Do you agree with Eco's assertion that living a cliche can feel unashamed and new, even if it may seem overused in a storytelling context?
- How can we reconcile the tension between the prevalence of cliches in storytelling and their potential to offer fresh perspectives on our own lives?
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“They think in terms of a sentimental ballad. And that's what terrifies you about them. It isn't their cruelty, it isn't even their shrewdness - it's their extraordinary naivete. Everything in their whole bloody world is a cliche. Everything is born out of a cliche, rests on a cliche, survives by a cliche. And they believe in the cliches - there's no hope”
“It is a cliche that most cliches are true, but then like most cliches, that cliche is untrue.”
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“They're called cliches because they're true, you know. Besides, life is quite complicated enough...”