Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
This joke highlights the absurdity of surrealism through a literal interpretation of Dalí's style.
In plain terms
The artist painted dots, so he caught fish at those points.
What can you take from it?
Literal thinking can create funny misunderstandings.

Where it applies

  • comedic storytelling
  • art critique
  • casual conversation

Putting it to work

  • writing comedy
  • discussing art

Questions to consider

  • How does art influence reality?
  • What if words were literal?

Another view

It assumes the audience knows Dalí's painting style.

More from Steven Wright

  1. It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it...

    Permalink to quote #113
  2. Last year me and my friend George drove across the country. We switched every half mile. We only had one cassette tape to listen to on the entire trip...I can'…

    Permalink to quote #115
  3. I've been getting into astronomy, so I installed a skylight. The people that live above me are furious.

    Permalink to quote #112

Related quotes

  1. I hope some historian will confirm that I was the first cartoonist to use the word 'booger' in a newspaper comic strip.

    Bill WattersonBill Watterson quote #1
  2. And we will be ready, at the end of every day will be ready, will not say no to anything, will try to stay awake while everyone is sleeping, will not sleep, wi…

    Dave EggersDave Eggers quote #1
  3. Mostel: If I appeared there, what if I did an imitation of a butterfly at rest? There is no crime in making anybody laugh. I don't care if you laugh at me. Con…

    Zero MostelZero Mostel quote #2