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About this quote

What does it mean?
Artists face a choice between vague placeholders that invite imagination or vivid explicit language that challenges tolerance.
In plain terms
Should art leave blanks for us to fill or use strong real words?
What can you take from it?
Explicit language tests our tolerance more than vague hints.

Where it applies

  • literary criticism
  • censorship debates
  • media content

Putting it to work

  • evaluate content standards
  • practice tolerance in media

Questions to consider

  • Do you prefer subtle or explicit art?
  • Where do you draw the line on language?

Another view

Vague language can also be powerful and does not always imply censorship.

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