Simplicity in Artby Frank NorrisFrom The Responsibilities of the Novelist, Doubleday and Co. New York, 1903.

Course Title: Writing Prose

Instructor: Liu Hongyong

2008-2009, 1st term

What form of art do you like, simple or complex? Why?

Warming Up

"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." — Albert Einstein

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." — Leonardo Da Vinci

"You can always recognize truth by its beauty and simplicity." — Richard Feynman

"Simplicity is the peak of civilization." — Jessie Sampter Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound though

t." — William Hazlitt.

On Simplicity

"Simple things should be simple. Complex things should be possible." — Alan Kay

"Technical skill is mastery of complexity, while creativity is mastery of simplicity." — E. Christopher Zeeman

"A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that works." — John Gall.

"If you can't describe it simply, you can't use it simply." — Anonymous

On Simplicity

On Simplicity

In this painting the background and

clothing are done in a very simplistic manner,

so that the viewer's attention is drawn to the face of Mary and that of baby Jesus. More details

would have been a distraction.

Mary and Jesus

Pseudonym: Frank Norris Born: March 5, 1870, Chicago, USA Died: October 25, 1902 (aged 32), San Francisco,

California, USA Occupation: Novelist, Writer. Genre: Naturalism. He is noted for his naturalistic novels about

American life.

Benjamin Franklin Norris(1870-1902)

Representative Works Mc Teague (1899) — a naturalist work about the life and trials of a dentist in

turn-of-the-century San Francisco, California, Filmed as Greed by Erich von Stroheim in 1924;

The Octopus: a California Story (1901) — the first novel in the Epic of Wheat trilogy, about the raising of wheat in California and the conflict between the wheat growers and a railway company;

The responsibilities of the novelist (1903) — a collection of essay on the role of the writer ;

The Pit (1903) — the second novel in the trilogy, about wheat speculation within the Chicago Board of Trade, the basis for the 1909 D.W. Griffith film A Corner in Wheat;

The third novel Wolf in the trilogy, was never written but was to have shown the American-grown wheat relieving a famine-stricken village in Europe.

Benjamin Franklin Norris(1870-1902)

Christ: Messiah, Savior, Redeemer Bible: the Old Testament and the New Testament The Old Testament: It contains an account of the creation of the

world (genesis), the stories of the life and history of the early men and of the ancient Hebrews.

The New Testament: It contains the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and his followers. It includes: (1) the Gospel; (2) Christ’s Birth;(3) Christ’s Crucifix and Resurrection.

Christianity

Silent Night Silent night, holy night, all is calm,

all is bright, round you Virgin Mother and Child, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, shepherd's quake at the night, glories stream from Heaven afar, heavenly host sing Alleluia, Christ the savior is born.

Silent night, holy night, son of God, love's pure light, radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at thy birth, Jesus Lord, at thy birth.

Christianity

• The best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City.

• Today The Sistine Chapel is best known for being the location of Papal conclaves, for the election of a new pope. More commonly, it is the physical chapel of the Papal Chapel.

• The Sistine Chapel contains Michelangelo’s painted ceiling and his fresco of the Last Judgement.

Sistine Chapel

The painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

• The unadorned silver soup ladle costs much higher than the adorned one.

Paragraph IMain Point

1.The salesman at the silversmith’s was obliging and for my inspection brought forth quite an array of ladles.

The salesman at the silversmith’s was willing to help and brought out quite a number of ladles displayed orderly for me to choose.

2. But my purse was flaccid, anemic, and I must pick and choose with all the discrimination in the world.

But my purse was in want of money, and I must pick and choose with the keenest discernment.

挑挑拣拣

Paragraph IParaphrase

3. I wanted to make a brave showing with my gift––to get a great deal for my money.

I wanted to make an extraordinary display of my talent – to make full use of the money and buy the best one.

Paragraph IParaphrase

Gilded bowls Gilded: covered with a thin layer of

gold or gold paint. Embossed handles Embossed: put a raised design or

writing on (carved). Chased arabesques Chased: cut patterns or designs on

metal (engraved) Arabesque: a type of design where

lines wind around each other (Arabic design).

Paragraph IWords

The salesman’s reason for the high price of the unadorned silver soup ladle. Why the plain soup ladle costs more than those with ornaments? The highly ornamental soup ladle hides away the flaws of

the material, but the plain one does not.

Paragraph IIMain Point

In what way is the 2nd paragraph related to the 1st? The 2nd paragraph is designed to summarize the story of silver

soup ladle in the 1st paragraph by accounting for the very unusual price of the plain soup ladle.

What general truth could Frank Norris draw from the salesman’s comment on the two different kinds of silver soup-ladles ? Simplicity in art should be more valued than ornamentation;

True art should be simple.

Paragraph IIMain Point

Simplicity is the final criterion for distinguishing what is good or bad, whether commercial or artistic.

Comparison between the dazzling writings of our time and the masterly work of ancient obscure writers---The New Testament.

Great writing is Simple.

Paragraph IIIMain Point

a final basis of comparison of all things whether commercial or artistic; the bare dignity of the unadorned that may stand before the world all unashamed, panoplied rather than clothed in consciousness of perfection.

a final criterion for distinguishing what is good or bad, whether in business or in arts; the plain worth of the unadorned can be subjected to any close scrutiny without any embarrassment. It is exhibited splendidly rather than concealed/clothed in the awareness of perfection.

不管是商品还是艺术品，简洁是衡量它好坏的最终标准。这些不加修饰的艺术品把其朴素的尊严展现在世人面前，它们毫不害羞，光彩耀人，没有披裹上为了完美而掩饰其缺点的意识。

Paragraph IIIParaphrase and Translation

How the adjectives would marshal upon the page, how the exclamatory phrases would cry out, how we would elaborate and elaborate, and how our rhetoric would flare and blaze till --- so we should imagine --- the ear would ring and the very eye would be dazzled; and even then we would believe that our words were all so few and feeble.

How the adjectives would line up on the page, how our overuse of exclamatory phrases would keep beat against the ear-drum, how we would tell the story in details, and how our extravagant diction would shine brightly, till the ear would ring with the high-sounding words and our sight would be overpowered by the glare of our extravagant diction.

Paragraph IIIParaphrase and Translation

那些形容词将会多么壮观地列在纸面上，那些感叹词将会叫得多么响亮，我们又将多么细致入微地描写和再描写，我们又将怎么煞费苦心，用华丽的词藻去修饰我们的词句，将它写得光彩夺目直到—如我们应该想到的那样—让人耳鸣目眩、眼花缭乱。即便如此，我们仍旧觉得用词不够，措辞苍白。

Paragraph IIIParaphrase and Translation

We would make a point of the transcendent stillness of the hour, of the deep blue of the Judean midnight, of the liplapping of Galilee, the murmur of Jordan, the peacefulness of sleeping Jerusalem.

We modern writers would give special emphasis to the extraordinary stillness of the moment, to the deep blue sky of the Judean midnight, to the intermittent and quiet splashing of the sea of Galilee gently washing the shores, to the low rippling of the river of Jordan as it flows, to the peacefulness of sleeping Jerusalem.

Paragraph IIIParaphrase and Translation

我们这些现代作家肯定会竭尽全力地去强调这一时刻的异乎寻常的寂静，强调犹太国子夜那深蓝的天空 , 强调加利利海轻轻的浪涛拍打声，强调约旦河潺潺的流水声，强调沉睡的耶路撒冷的安宁。

Paragraph IIIParaphrase and Translation

And our narrative would be as commensurate with the subject as the flippant smartness of a “bright” reporter in the Sistine Chapel.

Our story would be as much as the article of a “bright” reporter in the Sistine Chapel who is clever at making up a story but who makes light of a sublime subject.

我们的故事与西斯廷教堂那位“聪明”的记者所写的那篇语言尖刻、讲求时髦的报导如出一辙，为了哗众取宠，他把文章写得天花乱坠，而把崇高的主题贬低。

Our narrative (story) would be commensurate with the subject (target) of ridicule.

The flippant smartness of a “bright” reporter in the Sistine Chapel would be commensurate with the subject (target) of ridicule.

Paragraph IIIParaphrase and Translation

We would be striving to cover up our innate incompetence, our impotence to do justice to the mighty theme by elaborateness of design and arabesque intricacy of rhetoric.

We would exhaust all the techniques of writing to conceal our inborn inability to cope with mighty subject of Jesus’ birth by a complexity of design and pattern, and by rhetorical devices.

Paragraph IIIParaphrase

The days were accomplished that she should be delivered. The days of Mary’s pregnancy ended that she should give bi

rth to her baby.

To assist or aid in the birth of: 助产The midwife delivered the baby.助产士接生下这个婴儿

To give birth to: 分娩She delivered a baby boy this morning.今天早晨她生了个小男孩

Paragraph IV & V

Paraphrase

Polysemy

1. According to the author, what is the difference between the writing of the birth of Jesus Christ by the original writer and the writing of the same topic by a modern writer?

Modern writing is different from the New Testament in simplicity of writing, accuracy of vision and clarity of expression. Simplicity is the only secret of the literary success of the New

Testament. The worthlessness of much modern writing is like the highly adorned silver soup-ladle due to the excessive ornamentation, due to the author’s lack of inspiration, clear vision and genuine feeling.

Paragraph IV & V

Questions

2. What is the author’s purpose for quoting from the New Testament in the closing paragraph?

The writer’s purpose is to draw the readers into direct participation in the aesthetic experience of reading a passage from the New Testament so as to demonstrate the matchless worth and lasting appeal of simplicity in art and literature. The illustrative quotation of the New Testament is an instance of simplicity as simple and unadorned as the silver ladle or the naked beauty of the unclouded sky.

Paragraph IV & V

Questions

3. What is the implication of simplicity? It implies the unaffectedness (naturalness) and the

genuineness of feeling.

Paragraph IV & V

Questions

1. What method does the author employ to develop his topic? Analogy. The author uses “analogy” to account for the

comparison between literary simplicity and the plain silver ladle; between literary complexity of modern art/literature and the highly ornamental ware.

2. What is the merit of using this method in a piece of writing like this?

Analogy allows the writer to set forth an abstract idea by comparing it with something familiar and concrete. That is to say, it enables the writer to explain a difficult point by referring the reader to something similar and already known to him. In this way, the analogy provides a mental picture that greatly helps the reader’s accurate comprehension of the subject in question.

Writing Techniques

Definition Analogy is comparison of an abstract idea into a concrete one,

or an unfamiliar subject into a more familiar one. An analogy is a comparison between two things which are

basically not alike but which share some kind of striking similarity.

Analogy

Simile, Metaphor, Analogy A simile is what’s called an open comparison; A simile is when

you say something is like or as something; A simile is an expressed analogy.

A metaphor is what’s called a hidden comparison; A metaphor is when you say something is something; A metaphor is an implied analogy.

An analogy is comparable to simile and metaphor in that it shows how two different things are similar --- much like an extended metaphor or simile; But an analogy is more of a logical argument.

Analogy

Simple Examples My stepfather is like a bear. My stepfather is a bear. Puppy is to dog as kitten is to c

at. Shoe is to foot as tire is to whe

el. Followers are to a leader as pla

nets are to the sun.

Analogy

3.Use of the Dash. A dash, longer than a hyphen, is an extremely useful punctua

tion mark. When using a dash, do not put spaces between the letters and dash, on either side. Wisely used, it varies sentence rhythm and helps the writer to achieve emphasis and vigor within his sentences.

Writing Techniques

Interrupting a sentence If you want to interrupt your sentence with a phrase or clause,

consider using a dash, or if your sentence continues after the interruption, a pair of dashes.

She was extraordinarily tall—the tallest woman I'd ever seen. She walked in—the tallest woman I'd ever seen—and took a

seat at the counter.

Writing Techniques

Introducing a restatement, an explanation or an amplification

A dash can be used to introduce a restatement, an explanation or an amplification in place of expressions such as that is, in other words, or namely.

The reporter relentlessly pursued the woman—he was determined to get her to respond.

The waiter's first recommendation—a sea bass baked in a hazelnut crust—was sold out.

Writing Techniques

Notifying a surprising element Use a dash if the information that follows is surprising and

unexpected. We went shopping in London—and met Robbie Williams. The trapper gave his grandson a coat made of fur—skunk

fur. I think Abby's mad at me—for I probably shouldn't have cut

her hair while she was asleep.

Writing Techniques

Indicating an appositive phrase that already includes commas.

Dashes are used to offset lists placed in the middle of an independent clause, where commas are already used. The boys—Jim, John, and Jeff—left the party early. All of my school work—Physics, Academic Decathlon,

Sociology, and Calculus—got washed away when my house was flooded.

All of my friends—Adam, Brenda, Chris and Dina—were eaten by bears!

He wanted us–Caron, Susan and me–to meet his family.

Writing Techniques

Note: Don't use a dash for a simple appositive that doesn't require a dramatic shift. In other words, if there is only one appositive item (which renames a noun), then you should set that off with commas not dashes. My friend, Alan, was eaten by a walrus. Her first car, a Dodge Dart, is still running.

Writing Techniques

Changing Topic or Structure Use a dash for a change of topic within a sentence. This is very important–are you listening to me?

Indicating unfinished dialogue A dash can be used to indicate unfinished dialogue. Put the das

h within the quotation marks and omit commas or periods. “ Help! Help! I can't seem to—” She fell to the ground, gasping

for breath. Showing hesitation

Use a dash to show hesitation. I–I–I don't know.

Writing Techniques

Distinctions among dash, parentheses, colon and comma Dashes function in some ways like parentheses, colons and co

mmas. However, when you want a phrase or another part of the sentence to have extra emphasis, a dash may be used. Commas are more neutral; colons are more formal; and parentheses are usually used with information that is clearly incidental.

Writing Techniques

A dash is stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relevant than parentheses.

Parentheses – not important: I went to the mall (which is the worst mall on the planet) with my sister during the weekend.

Comma – neutral: I went to the mall, which is the worst mall on the planet, with my sister during the weekend.

Dash – emphasised: I went to the mall—which is the worst mall on the planet—with my sister during the weekend.

Colon – formal: There are three things every repairman must have: a screwdriver, a hammer, and a saw. (In this sentence, a colon has been used. The writing seems to be formal. In addition, the writing does not seem to need any extra emphasis).

Writing Techniques

The only thing Tony could do—if he could do anything at all—was to sit and wait for the test results to come in the mail. (In this sentence, dashes are used because it seems informal

and the clause inside the dashes needs some emphasis. The emphasis is added in order to show that Tony could do nothing in this situation.)

Writing Techniques

Look at the dashes in the text I wanted to make a brave showing with my gift—to get a great

deal for my money (5-6). I went through a world of soup ladles—ladles with gilded bowl

s (6)… he brought out a ladle that was as plain and as unadorned as the

unclouded sky—and about as beautiful (9-10). And there, if you please, is a conclusive comment upon the wh

ole business—a final basis of comparison of all things whether commercial or artistic (18-19);

Writing Techniques

Look at the dashes in the text We of this latter day, we painters and poets and writers—artist

s—must labour with all the wits of us (22-23)… At the very earliest, men—forgotten, ordinary men—were bor

n with an easy, unblurred vision that today we would hail as marvelous genius (25-26).

Writing Techniques

Look at the dashes in the text how our rhetoric would flare and blaze till—so we should

imagine—the ear would ring and the very eye would be dazzled (31-32);

That is very true—words of ours (35). Then the stars, the descent of the angel, the shepherds—all the

accessories (38-39). But on the other hand—listen (44):

Writing Techniques

The analogy in this text is well-chosen and cleverly worked up. By using analogy Norris succeeds in acquainting the reader with

the importance of being simple of art and literature. As we also see, a good face needs no paint. Only things of

flawless quality can afford to be simple, because what is true, good and beautiful is also simple.

To be simple simply means to be natural. Only by being simple and natural can we look forward to

obtaining that quiet elegance of expression called simplicity. The acquisition of such a quality calls for conscientious

cultivation for one’s character and taste.

Review of Simplicity in Art