Question

According to Stephen King, "Good story does two things: one, it makes us feel; two, it makes us think. It engages us emotionally and intellectually. Some authors misunderstand the story's purpose and spend too long mired in action and entertainment and forget that we actually have to care about the characters, about the outcome, that it's essential we come out of the book having both a visceral reaction and a reaction that makes us want to sit down with friends over pie and whiskey to talk about what we just read. Making someone think and feel is not "entertaining" in the strictest sense- but it's why stories matter."

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

The quoted statement attributed to Stephen King regarding a good story engaging readers both emotionally and intellectually is not accurate; however, the concept aligns with common literary principles, emphasizing the importance of character development, plot, and thematic complexity in literature.

Therefore, this statement is true.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Stephen King, a good story should engage readers both emotionally and intellectually, however, the statement attributed to him in the question is not true, but instead, reflects a common principle in literature. The true nature of storytelling and literature goes beyond mere entertainment; it requires a symbiotic relationship between writer and reader, where the reader's experience, interpretation, and evaluation play crucial roles in the act of reading. Literature is not about conveying straightforward messages but instead delves into the complexities of human existence, looking at character development, plot, language, and storytelling from a depth that provokes thought and feeling.

Storytelling is not solely about action, but rather about making readers care about the narrative and characters, leading to a rich discourse and deeper understanding of life. This is highlighted by the importance of elements such as character growth, conflict, and descriptive imagery that brings the narrative to life. The true essence of a complete understanding of a story lies in how it makes readers think and feel, and how it might be discussed in lively debates among friends, rather than just the action that unfolds within its pages.