Meaning: Guillermo Infante's quote, "I don't much believe in the idea of characters. I write with words, that is all. Whether those words are put in the mouth of this or that character does not matter to me," presents a fascinating perspective on the nature of storytelling and the role of characters in literature. This quote challenges the traditional notion of characters as central elements in storytelling, and it invites a deeper consideration of the role of language and the narrative voice in shaping literary works.

Infante's assertion that he writes with words rather than characters suggests a focus on the power and significance of language itself in conveying meaning and creating the literary experience. By emphasizing the importance of words, he seems to suggest that the essence of storytelling lies not solely in the depiction of individual characters, but in the artful arrangement and expression of language. This viewpoint opens up an intriguing exploration of the ways in which language, as a medium of communication and expression, can transcend the conventional boundaries of character-centered narratives.

Furthermore, Infante's disregard for the distinction between characters and words challenges the traditional hierarchy of storytelling elements. In many literary traditions, characters are often regarded as fundamental components of narratives, with their personalities, actions, and development driving the plot and engaging readers. However, Infante's statement suggests a departure from this conventional emphasis on character-driven storytelling, proposing instead a more fluid and inclusive approach to narrative construction.

The idea that "whether those words are put in the mouth of this or that character does not matter" reflects an intriguing perspective on the relationship between language and character representation. It implies that the attribution of words to specific characters is of secondary importance, and that the primary focus should be on the words themselves and the broader narrative context in which they are situated. This perspective encourages a reevaluation of the traditional emphasis on character development and the delineation of individual voices within a story, highlighting instead the interconnectedness of language and narrative as a unified expressive medium.

In considering Infante's quote, it is important to recognize the potential implications for the understanding and interpretation of literary works. By foregrounding the significance of words over characters, Infante's approach may invite readers and critics to pay closer attention to the stylistic and linguistic dimensions of storytelling. This shift in focus may prompt a deeper exploration of the ways in which language shapes the thematic, emotional, and aesthetic dimensions of a narrative, independent of specific character roles.

Moreover, Infante's perspective may also have broader implications for the nature of authorship and narrative authority. By emphasizing the primacy of words in his writing process, he challenges the conventional notion of authors as creators of distinct, autonomous characters with their own voices and agency. Instead, his approach suggests a more expansive understanding of authorial control and narrative construction, wherein language itself becomes the primary vehicle for conveying meaning and evoking the imaginative world of the story.

In conclusion, Guillermo Infante's quote offers a thought-provoking departure from traditional conceptions of characters and their role in storytelling. By foregrounding the importance of words and downplaying the significance of individual characters, Infante's perspective opens up new avenues for exploring the relationship between language and narrative, as well as the nature of authorship and storytelling authority. This quote invites readers and scholars to consider the ways in which language itself can shape and enrich the literary experience, transcending the boundaries of traditional character-centered narratives.