Famous quote by Ernest Hemingway

"If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water"

About this Quote

Ernest Hemingway, one of the most eminent writers that has lived, emphasizes the profound importance of knowledge acquisition before delving into any form of writing. He underscores that a writer should possess extensive insights concerning his subject matter. It grants him the liberty to omit certain details with the confidence that his narrative still holds.

Through this argument, Hemingway introduces an interesting paradox. While one might assume that the more a writer knows, the more he should include in his writing, Hemingway suggests otherwise. He posits that knowledge allows a writer the luxury of omission. But why should a well-informed writer omit elements of his narrative? Does this not amount to depriving the reader of possibly pertinent information?

The answer lies in Hemingway's metaphor of the iceberg, an iconic representation of his writing style , famously referred to as the 'Iceberg Theory.' The iceberg illustrates Hemingway's perception of the correlation between the explicit and implicit in effective storytelling. By suggesting that 'the dignity of movement of an iceberg is due to only one ninth of it being above water,' Hemingway indicates that the power and grace of a narrative lie in its underlying subtext.

Just as 90% of an iceberg remains hidden below water, the majority of a story should lie beneath its actual words. The visible part of the iceberg, or the part of the story immediately apparent to the reader, derives its many attributes from the enormous part concealed beneath the depths. The unseen not only supports the visible but also adds weight, grace, and movement to it, ultimately elevating the narrative's overall impact.

Hence, according to Hemingway, a writer should not toss every piece of information he possesses at the reader. Instead, he should deliberately consign some of his knowledge into the realm of the implicit. The mark of a great writer, therefore, may not lie in how much he tells, but rather in how much he doesn't. His ability to elicit thought, provoke curiosity, and evoke a depth of emotion comes from what is unsaid, just as is implied in Ernest Hemingway's Iceberg Theory.

In conclusion, Hemingway invites authors to hone the art of subtlety and implication in their writing. Instead of revealing everything, they should leave some things unsaid, allowing readers to dive below the surface, explore the depths, and discover the true essence of the story for themselves.

About the Author

Ernest Hemingway This quote is written / told by Ernest Hemingway between July 21, 1899 and July 2, 1961. He was a famous Novelist from USA. The author also have 74 other quotes.
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