The weight of the world is in the word. All writers know this, though not necessarily in the same way. However, often critics and commentators forget it, and end up discussing whether poetry can be political or not, and how realistic – or magic realist – fiction can be. It is as if the ‘world’ is something to be added on to the writing.
But that is not true. The world is already contained in the word. And the world contains the word; worlds contain the word. No word exists on its own. Every word that we utter has passed through millions of mouths. It has been uttered and re-uttered, often in slightly different contexts, with various shades of meaning, sometimes even entirely contradictory ones, accreting to it over time and space.
And writing makes the matter even more complex. Because now the speaker is not faced with a listener, who shares, for that particular utterance, the same space. Now the word can be written down, and transported from here to, say, China or India, where it may be read a bit differently. Every word that I write or you write has also been written down hundreds, thousands of times, and now what has...
You may also like
Why is Debbie Dingle not returning to Emmerdale amid Zak's funeral and who is coming back?
Haryana farmers express gratitude after govt hikes MSP on Rabi crops
Bigg Boss 18: Shrutika Arjun Breaks Down In Tears Due To Lack Of Food, Says, 'Teen Din Se Potty Bhi Nahi Aaya..'
Prince William dazzles in velvet suit as he attends the Centrepoint Awards
Career Horoscope Today: Astrological Predictions on October 17, 2024, For All Zodiac Signs
Paul Pogba nearly quit football at 31 as ex-Man Utd star opens up on drugs ban 'hell'
Health Horoscope Today: Astrological Predictions on October 17, 2024, For All Zodiac Signs
Why is the color of human blood red?
Bigg Boss 18: Avinash Mishra Goes Against Housemates
Joe Biden, Barrack Obama's Interaction At Ethel Kennedy's Funeral Viral: 'Scolding Him'
GoM on GST compensation cess holds first meeting: No new levies until future is decided
Doctor says adding one ingredient to tea makes cold symptoms 'go away faster'
Love Horoscope Today: Astrological Predictions on October 17, 2024, For All Zodiac Signs
What Is 'Water Trick' For Weight Loss? Nutritionist Shares Hack To Lose Kilos
Reason why Thomas Tuchel's number two quit Wrexham after only one training session
Minor 'Molested' In Bag Sewaniya, Accused Detained; Religious Outfits Create Ruckus Outside Police Station
Tejasvi Surya seeks performance audit of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited
Vivek Ramaswamy replies if he supports Trump's 'enemy within' narrative: 'Had Elon Musk's rocket...'
Martin Lewis warns pensioners will earn £112 less than Labour want them to believe
Barkha Singh Is A Sports Junkie And We Have Proof!