"Tragedy massages the human ego even as comedy deflates it. ... Tragedy pits us against large foes and the trip wire is our own character. ... In comedy we fall afoul of one another. Comedy depends on social life, on our behavior in groups. In tragedy you can observe one human against the gods. In comedy it's one human versus other humans and often one man (or woman if I'm writing it) against her own worst impulses."

3 likes

Source: Rita Mae Brown (2014). “In Her Day”, p.87, Bantam

About the author

Rita Mae Brown

Author, Activist

Rita Mae Brown is an American author and activist known for her groundbreaking novel 'Rubyfruit Jungle,' which explores themes of love and identity.

All quotes by Rita Mae Brown →

Same author

More quotes by Rita Mae Brown

See all →
Rita Mae Brown Author, Activist

"About all you can do in life is be who you are. Some people will love you for you. Most will love you for what you can do for them, and some won't like you at all."

Read quote
Rita Mae Brown Author, Activist

"The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you."

Read quote