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Awfulness Quotes

On hardship, harsh criticism, and dark comedy

These quotes confront awfulness head-on, from a childhood spent escaping poverty at the movies to an artist puzzling over harsh letters attacking their work. One performer finds humor specifically within absurd, uncomfortable Character situations.

I learned at a very early age that life is a battle. My family was poor, my neighborhood was poor. The only way that I could get away from the awfulness of life, at that time, was at the movies....

Quotes by Susan Hayward

All I try to do is as earnestly and as acutely as I can, conceive a character and try to portray this character just honestly. If the humor is within the absurdity and the awfulness of situations, then let it...

Quotes by Patrick Warburton

I've gotten a lot of livid letters about the awfulness of my work. I've never known what to make of it. Why do people bother to write if they hate what I do?

Quotes by Lynda Barry

Any notable moments spent on a subway usually do nothing more than expose human awfulness at its most pronounced.

Quotes by Chris Gethard

Frequently Asked Questions

How did one speaker cope with childhood poverty?
They describe escaping the awfulness of a poor family and neighborhood by going to the movies as a form of relief.
How does one artist respond to harsh criticism?
They admit confusion over receiving livid letters attacking the awfulness of their work, questioning why people bother writing if they dislike it so much.
Where does humor come from in absurd situations, according to one quote?
It comes from honestly portraying a character within genuinely absurd or awful circumstances, rather than exaggerating for effect.
What everyday example is used to illustrate human awfulness?
One quote points to ordinary subway rides as a place where human awfulness shows up in its most pronounced, unfiltered form.
Where can I find more quotes about family and hardship?
See our Family quotes for more reflections on growing up through difficult circumstances.

Another quote turns everyday observation into commentary, suggesting that a simple subway ride can expose human awfulness at its most obvious, proof the theme isn't limited to dramatic hardship.