Interpreters should tell stories, not recite inventories, because visitors seek enjoyment

Evidence

I am sure that what I am saying will not be misconstrued to mean that the interpreter should be any sort of practicing artist—that he should read poems, give a dramatic performance, deliver an oration, become a tragic or comic thespian, or anything as horribly out of place as these. Nothing could be worse, except perhaps to indulge in an evangelical homily. I am merely suggesting that he dip into his own artistic appreciation, give form and life to his material, and tell a story rather than recite an inventory. The whole history of entertainment reminds us that a dull performance has a dull audience; and while we must be chary of that word “entertainment,” and be sure we restrict ours to the very highest kind, we cannot forget that people are with us mainly seeking enjoyment, not instruction. — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 246

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Interpretive presentations fail through excess, not just deficiency of content — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 485; Interpreters should evoke mood, not declare objects beautiful — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 511; Interpretation’s business is provoking desire to know, not instructing — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 675 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Interpreters should evoke mood, not declare objects beautiful #expands (0.85) — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 511
• Interpretation’s business is provoking desire to know, not instructing #expands (0.80) — Freeman Tilden, Interpreting Our Heritage, 675
• Events must become stories before they can be communicated #corroborates (0.80)
• Sheer entertainment volume masks but does not satisfy cultural function #complicates (0.75) — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 32