If I said I was madly in love with you, I'd be lying and what's more, you'd know it.
Margaret MitchellRead
It's a curse - this not wanting to look on naked realities. Until the war, life was never more real to me than a shadow show on a curtain. And I preferred it so. I do not like the outlines of things to be too sharp. I like them gently blurred, a little hazy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a preference for illusion over harsh reality, suggesting that a blurred perception of life is more comforting.
Margaret Mitchell's quote reflects the idea that a clear view of reality can be burdensome and painful, especially in times of conflict or struggle. The speaker reveals a longing for a life that is more like a gentle illusion—where harsh truths are softened and life’s complexities are not starkly outlined, as this provides a sense of comfort and escape from the weight of reality.
Themes
RealityIllusionComfortPerceptionLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about coping with tragedy, this quote serves to illustrate how individuals might prefer comfort over the painful truths of their circumstances.
More from Margaret Mitchell
All quotes →You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly sorry he's going to jail. - Rhett Butler
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Well, my dear, take heart. Some day, I will kiss you and you will like it. But not now, so I beg you not to be too impatient.
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men are so conceited they’ll believe anything that flatters them
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Oh, why was he so handsomely blond, so courteously aloof, so maddeningly boring with his talk about Europe and books and music and poetry and things that interested her not at all - and yet so desirable?
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All really nice girls wonder when men don't try to kiss them. They know they shouldn't want them to and they know they must act insulted if they do, but just the same, they wish the men would try.
Margaret MitchellRead
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