Doubt (Revised)

[Mr. Creosote]

Hi Mr. Creosote, 


Let's build a bit on the critique you've already received. Let's continue to look at the word choices. You do a good job with your title. When your title is simple like "Doubt" and you expand on the idea through good imagery you uncover a lot of creative freedom because the simple title grounds the concept and pulls it all together.

A scalpel that loosens the flesh of myth--Fully agree with "The scalpel" and "cuts" You could also remove "that"
Constantly digging to find the hidden relief under the layers of soft humanity--Is digging the right word? I would associate that with something like an ice pick, more of a piercing tool than a cutting one. Maybe slicing. Also, most words like constantly just weigh down the line you could probably cut it. This also may work better in present tense "slices"
It faces the tough sinew of unyielding conviction--you have to be careful with these constructions like "of unyielding conviction" attaching a characteristic to the sinew without developing the idea in the image itself is a bit of cheat and largely unsatisfying as a payoff. It feels more artificial than it should.
Conviction’s twisted filaments obscure and distort--Another thing to watch out for  ____ and _____ There is usually a better word that will encapsulate the ideas than two words.
How to dissect reality from fable without cutting one’s self?--Ending on a question isn't the strongest choice.

I hope some of that was helpful. This is a good idea I think that could be tightened up some.

Best,

Todd

Thanks Todd...

Just to answer a few of your thoughts...

I used digging very intentionally. First as an image, digging in flesh is a messy affair I am sure. Secondly as connected to history and myth digging up the past, archeology, exposing it to light (the light of reason?). I tried several other words there and was dissatisfied.

I felt the metaphor of the body (flesh) was stated well enough to make sinew = conviction. Sinew being stubborn near to the bone connective tissue that is neither soft human flesh or hard bone (the bone being reality, reason, truth).

I agree with the comment on the last line. It is a hard part for me. I want to introduce obliquely the idea of self-doubt in the face of conviction.