However, Pangloss’ theories are more than just the silly, faulty reasonings of a man who thinks he’s right; they’re dangerous. It is with this belief, that this is the best of all possible worlds and that all things are for the best, that Candide goes out into the world. Labouring under these delusions, Candide suffers,Continue reading “Experience and Actuality: Voltaire’s Criticism of Armchair Philosophers (Part 2 of 3)”
Tag Archives: Academic
Experience and Actuality: Voltaire’s Criticism of Armchair Philosophers (Part 1 of 3)
The movement of the Enlightenment was rooted in reason. The two concepts, that of enlightenment and rational thinking, had to be linked together, for without reason the sort of reforms the philosophers of the Enlightenment were striving for would be impossible to achieve. Those who called themselves “enlightened” had to be ready to question andContinue reading “Experience and Actuality: Voltaire’s Criticism of Armchair Philosophers (Part 1 of 3)”
Say What You Mean – Dialogue (Part 1)
Moving ever so slightly away from the topic of character building, I wanted to take some time this week to discuss the creation and successful deployment of dialogue. In writing circles, I have found my feelings and approaches to dialogue to be somewhat unique. Many writers struggle continuously with putting words in the mouths ofContinue reading “Say What You Mean – Dialogue (Part 1)”
Turning Back the Clock: How Flashbacks Are Used in Literature (Part 2)
Tim O’Brien also uses time travel in his critically acclaimed novel, In the Lake of the Woods. What makes these journeys to the past so much easier to identify and pay attention to in O’Brien’s novel versus Miller’s play? The answer: format and point of view. In In the Lake of the Woods, scattered throughoutContinue reading “Turning Back the Clock: How Flashbacks Are Used in Literature (Part 2)”
Building a Character – Word by Word
A continuation of last week’s post (found here), on building a character that will stand the test of time, this week I’d like to talk about how you actually sit down and build a character one word at a time. Tip #2: The Devil’s in the Details (Write it Out!) As we discussed earlier, aContinue reading “Building a Character – Word by Word”