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"الرواية تولد من خيبة الأمل القصيدة تأتي من امتلاء الحياة"

Julio Cortazar
Julio Cortazar Author
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Quote meaning
The essence of this idea is that novels and poems come from different emotional places. Novels often spring from a sense of disappointment or a feeling that something's missing or wrong in the world. Poems, on the other hand, usually stem from a place of abundance, where emotions overflow and there's a lot of appreciation for life's beauty, intensity, or joy.

Historically speaking, this was likely said to highlight the different motivations that drive authors and poets. When an author writes a novel, they're usually trying to dive deep into a story that explores complex and often painful themes. They might be looking at the flaws in society, personal struggles, or deep-seated issues that need unpacking. Think of classic novels like "1984" by George Orwell, which was born out of disillusionment with totalitarian regimes and the loss of personal freedoms.

On the flip side, poets often write because they’re so filled with emotion that they need to express it. They might write to capture the beauty of a sunset, the intensity of falling in love, or even the profound sorrow of loss—emotions that are so full and rich they overflow into verse. Rumi’s poems come to mind; his words seem to spill out from a heart overflowing with the fullness of life, love, and spiritual ecstasy.

Imagine you're an artist—let's call her Lucy. Lucy has just read the news about another corporate scandal, and she feels incredibly disheartened by the greed and corruption she sees. This disillusionment stirs something inside her, and she begins to write a novel about a dystopian world where corporations control everything. She channels her frustration and sense of injustice into her characters and their struggles, hoping to inspire readers to think critically about the world around them.

Now, picture Lucy another time, sitting by the beach as the sun sets. The sky is painted with hues of pink and orange. She's so moved by the beauty and tranquility of the moment that she pulls out her notebook and starts to scribble down a poem. Her words flow effortlessly, capturing the colors of the sky, the sound of the waves, and the feeling of pure contentment. This is the fullness of life inspiring her poetry.

If you want to apply this wisdom to your own creative work, think about what’s driving you. Are you feeling disillusioned by something? Channel that into a story where you can explore and perhaps even challenge those feelings. Or, are you overflowing with emotion, whether it’s joy, love, or sadness? Let that fullness spill into a poem. The key is to recognize where your emotions are coming from and letting them guide the type of art you create.

Let's take a more relatable scenario. Imagine you’re at a family reunion. You see an old relative who’s become somewhat cynical over the years due to the hardships they’ve faced. They start telling you stories about their life. These stories are filled with a sense of disillusionment—about the government, societal values, even family traditions. Now, if you were to write a novel inspired by these conversations, you’d delve into those themes, exploring the dark underbelly of these disillusionments.

Conversely, imagine a different setting where you’re at a wedding. The air is electric with happiness and love. You feel this overwhelming joy witnessing two people committing their lives to each other. In this moment, you might feel compelled to write a poem that captures the essence of love and the beauty of the day.

By tapping into the core emotions behind your creative urges, you can create work that is not only authentic but also deeply resonant. Recognize whether you’re writing from a place of disillusionment or from the fullness of life, and let that awareness guide your art.
Related tags
Artistic expression Contrast Creative writing Disillusionment Emotional depth Inspirational quote Literature Novel Poetry
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