“It is simply wrong to begin with a theme, symbol or other abstract unifying agent, and then try to force characters and events to conform to it.”
Source: Slow Learner: Early Stories
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Thomas Pynchon 134
American novelist 1937Related quotes
“It is only when our characters and events begin to disobey us that they begin to live.”
Source: The French Lieutenant's Woman

§ 3.
Linear Associative Algebra (1882)
Context: All relations are either qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative relations can be considered by themselves without regard to quantity. The algebra of such enquiries may be called logical algebra, of which a fine example is given by Boole.
Quantitative relations may also be considered by themselves without regard to quality. They belong to arithmetic, and the corresponding algebra is the common or arithmetical algebra.
In all other algebras both relations must be combined, and the algebra must conform to the character of the relations.

Livewire's one on one - David Draiman talks disturbing thoughts http://www.webcitation.org/640D4asgh, concertlivewire.com, 19 February 2005)

“Symbolically it is the end, but looking behind the symbolism it is the beginning.”
Science and the Unseen World (1929)
Context: Our story of evolution ended with a stirring in the brain-organ of the latest of Nature's experiments; but that stirring of consciousness transmutes the whole story and gives meaning to its symbolism. Symbolically it is the end, but looking behind the symbolism it is the beginning.<!--III, p.38

“It looked like lively abstract art. Symbols in search of context.”
Source: Finch (2009), p. 74
Source: Our Lady of the Lost and Found: A Novel of Mary, Faith, and Friendship