Quote by Anton Chekhov, To Maxim Gorky, S
Another piece of advice: when you proofread cross out as many adjectives and adverbs as you can. You have so many modifiers that the reader has trouble understanding and gets worn out. It is comprehensible when I write: The man sat on the grass, because it is clear and does not detain one's attention. On the other hand, it is difficult to figure out and hard on the brain if I write: The tall, narrow-chested man of medium height and with a red beard sat down on the green grass that had already been trampled down by the pedestrians, sat down silently, looking around timidly and fearfully. The brain can't grasp all that at once, and art must be grasped at once, instantaneously. And then one other thing; you are lyrical by nature. The timber of your soul is soft. If you were a composer you would avoid writing marches. It is unnatural for your talent to curse, shout, taunt, denounce with rage. Therefore, you'll understand if I advise you, in proofreading, to eliminate the sons of bitches, curs, and flea-bitten mutts that appear here and there on the pages of Life.
Summary
This quote advises against the excessive use of adjectives and adverbs in writing. By eliminating these modifiers, the writer believes that the clarity of the message is enhanced, as too many descriptors can confuse and exhaust the reader. The example given illustrates how a simple and straightforward sentence is easier to understand and process compared to a convoluted and lengthy description. Additionally, the quote suggests that the writer's natural lyrical inclination should guide their choice of words, tending more towards gentle expression rather than aggressive or derogatory language.
Topics
Authors & Writing
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