Need help understanding a qoute?

Question

"Good prose is like a window pane"

In my AP literature class we are suppose to be writing about several topics this is one of them, however, i dont understand what it means. You think you could help me?

Answer 1

prose means like speech. Good speech is like a window pane easy to see throw. It means well writen things or spoken things are easy to understand like its easy to see out a window. or it could mean that good speech helps u hold ur life together like the window pane and the window.

Answer 2

Most of the answers given are all correct. As GK Chesterton said, the aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. Therefore, it should be clear as to what it's trying to say to the readers.

A window pane shows a view of what's outside clearly. However, as one of the answerers said, a window pane can also give you a limited view. In prose writing, we can also have a limited view depending on what the writer uses.

*** Types of Point of View

Objective Point of View
With the objective point of view, the writer tells what happens without stating more than can be inferred from the story's action and dialogue. The narrator never discloses anything about what the characters think or feel, remaining a detached observer.

Third Person Point of View
Here the narrator does not participate in the action of the story as one of the characters, but lets us know exactly how the characters feel. We learn about the characters through this outside voice.

First Person Point of View
In the first person point of view, the narrator does participate in the action of the story. When reading stories in the first person, we need to realize that what the narrator is recounting might not be the objective truth. We should question the trustworthiness of the accounting.

Omniscient and Limited Omniscient Points of View
A narrator who knows everything about all the characters is all knowing, or omniscient.

A narrator whose knowledge is limited to one character, either major or minor, has a limited omniscient point of view.

Therefore, good prose like the window pane should give you a clear insight on what the writer is trying to give no matter how limited or all-knowing it is. A window pane may give you a limited portion of what you're trying to see but at least it's clear enough.

I hope you understand what we're trying to say. I suggest you also check this link http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/513

Goodluck.

Answer 3

You look through a window pane to see the outside world -- just like how good prose can give you insight into/a view of another world. However, that pane is a barrier..it may be clear but it can distort your view and also limit your view. You can't see certain angles, certain views. Thus, good prose may also be interpreted as something that will portray just the one particular view (most likely the author's). Moreover, a window pane is a human-made construction just as good prose.

Answer 4

A window pane gives you a view of a world outside of your present surroundings. Good prose, a good book should do the same. By reading you are transported to a world outside your current realm.

Answer 5

Prose refers to speech so maybe it means that good prose is as clear (to understand) as a window pane is easy to see through.

Answer 6

good prose (writing) is like a window pane - you can see whatever you want through it. imagination is the only rule.

Answer 7

I tend to agree with the other answers, except that I'd say that good prose doesn't get in the way of understanding what's being said. It doesn't call attention to itself by being excessively flowery or badly spelled - things of that nature.

Answer 8

It means that good prose is descriptive so that you can visualize what the author talks about - like you were there.

Answer 9

haha, AP lit. Good Times, Good Times.. anyway.

that is strange, but what I interpret it as, is that good prose is something that you can see right through, you can see everything the person "on the otherside" (or in the story) can... Good Luck!

Answer 10

It's clear? You can see right thru it? kids like to whip baseballs at it? I dunno....sorry.