How difficult it is to avoid Clichés in literature and in films?
Many famous sayings or phrases become clichés due to their overuse. I think clichés sounds good to the ear at first. After all, the original creator had a good reason to make it part of his/her art work. This observation is in literature, but it also happens in film and takes other forms besides of just old tired phrases.
In the essay that we read last week “Against Interpretation” by Susan Sontag, she says that “the films perpetuate clichés about identity”. In the first novel we are currently reading Lucifer’s Hammer, I noticed several lines that sound and look like clichés. For instance, “nothing lasts forever” and “the grass wasn’t always greener on the other side of the fence.” These two phrases sound great but unfortunately they lack originality.
According to www.moviecliches.com website, there are tons of clichés in films such as the elevators being ready for every one else but the hero/heroine or the protagonist who is being chased. In terms of clichés related to language this website states that “When foreigners appear in movies (Hispanics in particular) they seem to be able to speak perfect English without making one single mistake except it seems they NEVER manage to learn how to say “Sir” or “Thank you”… they always say “Senor” and Gracias.”
If I continue looking for clichés in all the great works of literature and in films, I am very sure I will find plenty of them. That doesn’t mean that it takes away the other good stuff in a piece of work, so how difficult it is to avoid clichés? Does honesty of character and honesty of love sounds like clichés? The bottom line is that I am kind of obsessed with this ugly term because I feel it is almost impossible to get rid of them. What are you thoughts about this issue?