How to Tell a Story and Others

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book How to Tell a Story and Others by Mark Twain, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mark Twain ISBN: 9781613100424
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: July 29, 2009
Imprint: Library of Alexandria Language: English
Author: Mark Twain
ISBN: 9781613100424
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: July 29, 2009
Imprint: Library of Alexandria
Language: English
The Humorous Story an American Development.−−Its Difference from Comic and Witty Stories. I do not claim that I can tell a story as it ought to be told. I only claim to know how a story ought to be told, for I have been almost daily in the company of the most expert story−tellers for many years. There are several kinds of stories, but only one difficult kind−−the humorous. I will talk mainly about that one. The humorous story is American, the comic story is English, the witty story is French. The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of the telling; the comic story and the witty story upon the matter. The humorous story may be spun out to great length, and may wander around as much as it pleases, and arrive nowhere in particular; but the comic and witty stories must be brief and end with a point. The humorous story bubbles gently along, the Others burst. The humorous story is strictly a work of art−−high and delicate art−− and only an artist can tell it; but no art is necessary in telling the comic and the witty story; anybody can do it. The art of telling a humorous story−−understand, I mean by word of mouth, not print−−was created in America, and has remained at home.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
The Humorous Story an American Development.−−Its Difference from Comic and Witty Stories. I do not claim that I can tell a story as it ought to be told. I only claim to know how a story ought to be told, for I have been almost daily in the company of the most expert story−tellers for many years. There are several kinds of stories, but only one difficult kind−−the humorous. I will talk mainly about that one. The humorous story is American, the comic story is English, the witty story is French. The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of the telling; the comic story and the witty story upon the matter. The humorous story may be spun out to great length, and may wander around as much as it pleases, and arrive nowhere in particular; but the comic and witty stories must be brief and end with a point. The humorous story bubbles gently along, the Others burst. The humorous story is strictly a work of art−−high and delicate art−− and only an artist can tell it; but no art is necessary in telling the comic and the witty story; anybody can do it. The art of telling a humorous story−−understand, I mean by word of mouth, not print−−was created in America, and has remained at home.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book La Condenada (Cuentos) by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Legends & Romances of Spain by Mark Twain
Cover of the book In the Dead of Night: A Novel (Complete) by Mark Twain
Cover of the book The Book of Poetry by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Comic Bible Sketches Reprinted from "The Freethinker" by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Girl Scouts in the Rockies by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Boris Lensky by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Under the Witches' Moon: A Romantic Tale of Mediaeval Rome by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Incidents of Travel in Yucatan (Complete) by Mark Twain
Cover of the book The Life of Sir Richard Burton by Mark Twain
Cover of the book The Doctor in History, Literature, Folk-Lore, Etc. by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Pink Gods and Blue Demons by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Chaitanya's Life and Teachings: From His Contemporary Begali Biography the Chaitanya-Charit-Amrita by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Christ Legends and the Miracles of Antichrist by Mark Twain
Cover of the book Napoleon's Marshals by Mark Twain
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy