Manifestoes of Surrealism

“Among all the misfortunes to which we are heir, it is only fair to admit that we are allowed the greatest degree of freedom of thought. It is up to us to misuse it.”

Surrealists believed that freedom of thought was the only major freedom that all people could access. Breton blames a lack of free thinking on individuals, who choose to take the easy route and conform to mainstream ideas rather than allowing themselves to escape from the confines of rationality and logic.

“I have always been amazed at the way an ordinary observer lends so much more importance to waking events than to those occurring in dreams.”

Breton argues, especially in his first manifesto, that modern society unfairly labels dreams as existing outside reality. He lays out specific reasons why dreams should be considered real and hopes to achieve a unification of waking and dreaming life that will give humanity access to a fuller picture of reality. Surrealist art and writing often mirrors the world of dreams for this reason.

“Language has been given to man so that he can make surrealist use of it.”

Breton believes that words are inherently surrealist, but because language has been corrupted, most people do not use it to its full potential. As a writer, Breton hopes to regain the ability to use language outside the confines of realistic prose. He criticizes writers who try too hard to reflect real life.