Telling and Showing

Prior to reading the first chapter of Booth I never really thought about why authors choose to write  novels or stories in the particular ways that they do and how these decisions can determine whether a novel is worth reading or not. If an author was to change even a small thing in the story it can be disastrous or it can be what really makes the novel one of the best. Through different techniques stories can be manipulated to get the reader to feel or think a certain way. Booth uses the terms "showing and telling" showing is considered by most authors to be artistic and telling is widely known as inartistic. By showing the author plays out the scene and leaves it for the reader to interpret his or her own opinions; the art can be when the author uses metaphors or illusions to get the reader thinking. By telling the author has a clear point of view that he is displaying and the view is straightforward and necessary for the continuance of the story.
 As a reader we are forced to see things through the lens of the author and take in each word that we read as truth. When the author tells us that a character is a fool and not to be trusted it is necessary to believe in order for the story to make sense as we read on. In other novels where the truth is being shown you must figure out for yourself the truth the author is trying to portray in the novel. Booth gives a good example of how in everyday life you are to figure out through your own experiences the truth in what is honestly said and what is not true at all. Booth uses the butcher example and tells of a butcher who sells meat by labeling it the best. The consumers can take the butcher's word but when they get home to cook the meat then they themselves will decide if the meat is really the best. The same is true with novels questions should arise as you read and it is up to you to separate truth from deceit.