"Local color has a fatal tendency to remain local; but it is also true that the universal often borders on the void"

Hervey Allen's quote, "Local color has a deadly propensity to remain regional; but it is also true that the universal often verge on the void", invites a nuanced reflection on the interaction between particular cultural details and universal themes in literature and art.

The phrase "regional color" describes the use of specific, detailed aspects rooted in a specific region or culture, frequently used to evoke the distinct characteristics of a location. These components might consist of dialect, customs, landscape, and social custom-mades. Allen recommends that regional color is restricted by its very nature; it is deeply connected to a specific place and can have a hard time to achieve broader resonance or significance beyond its instant context. This constraint can hinder a work's capability to reach a worldwide audience, as the audience might not completely understand or appreciate the localized subtleties.

However, Allen juxtaposes this idea with a review of universal themes. The claim that "the universal often borders on deep space" suggests that when a work pursues universal appeal, it runs the risk of becoming too abstract or generic. In an effort to connect with a wide audience, it might lose depth and compound, leading to art that feels hollow or lacking significance. Universal styles in some cases lack the vivid texture and uniqueness that regional details can provide.

Allen's observation speaks to an essential tension in art and literature: the need to stabilize the specific with the universal. Effective storytelling typically emerges from this balance, where specific cultural details enhance universal styles, providing texture and credibility. Works that successfully blend regional color with universal resonance manage to transcend their specific origins while maintaining a vibrant, grounding local color. Such works can engage deeply with audiences across numerous cultures, providing both insight into a distinct area and reflection on shared human experiences. Allen's quote, then, acts as a pointer of the value in harmonizing the particular with the universal to produce compelling, long-lasting art.