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Brian Friel Quotes

It is not the literal past, the 'facts' of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in language.

It is not the literal past, the 'facts' of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in language.

Brian Friel
Past, Shapes, Facts
Brian Friel, Paul Delaney (2000). “Brian Friel in conversation”, Univ of Michigan Pr

To remember everything is a form of madness.

Brian Friel
Remembers Everything, Madness, Remember
Brian Friel, Csilla Bertha, Mária Kurdi (2006). “Brian Friel's Dramatic Artistry: "the Work Has Value"”, p.215, Peter Lang

Confusion is not an ignoble condition

Brian Friel
Confusion, Ignoble, Conditions
Brian Friel (2013). “Brian Friel Plays 1: Philadelphia, Here I Come!; The Freedom of the City; Living Quarters; Aristocrats; Faith Healer; Translations”, p.393, Faber & Faber

The Troubles are a pigmentation in our lives here, a constant irritation that detracts from real life. But life has to do with something else as well, and it's the other things which are the more permanent and real.

Brian Friel
Real, Irritation, Trouble
Brian Friel, Paul Delaney (2000). “Brian Friel in Conversation”, p.227, University of Michigan Press

People with a culture of poverty suffer much less from repression than we of the middle class suffer and indeed, if I may make the suggestion with due qualification, they often have a hell of a lot more fun than we have.

Brian Friel
Fun, Class, People
Brian Friel (2016). “Brian Friel: Collected Plays - Volume 2: The Freedom of the City; Volunteers; Living Quarters; Aristocrats; Faith Healer; Translations”, p.41, Faber & Faber

Even if I did speak Irish, I’d always be considered an outsider here, wouldn’t I? I may learn the password but the language of the tribe will always elude me, won’t it? The private core will always be ...hermetic, won’t it?

Brian Friel
May, Outsiders, Tribes
Brian Friel, Csilla Bertha, Mária Kurdi (2006). “Brian Friel's Dramatic Artistry: "the Work Has Value"”, p.100, Peter Lang

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