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Folklore is the perfect second skin. From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world.
Jane Yolen
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Folklore helps us understand the complexities of the world by providing us with a protective yet revealing narrative framework.

In this quote, Jane Yolen suggests that folklore serves as a metaphorical 'second skin' that not only protects us but also allows us to perceive the intricate and often ambiguous aspects of life. Through stories and traditions, we gain insights into human experiences and the world's uncertainties, illustrating how art and narratives shape our understanding of reality.

Themes

FolkloreNarrativeCultureUnderstandingArt

In practice

Example use cases

This quote is perfect for a speech about the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

More from Jane Yolen

Don't ever write just for a trend or fad, because it's a moving target, and by the time you get your work out there, the trend or fad is gone. Dig deep; don't be afraid to write fiercely. Expose your heart.
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I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told.
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What makes a good book? Scholars and critics have been debating that question for decades. I like books that touch my head and my heart at the same time.
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Just write. If you have to make a choice, if you say, 'Oh well, I'm going to put the writing away until my children are grown,' then you don't really want to be a writer. If you want to be a writer, you do your writing... If you don't do it, you probably don't want to be a writer, you just want to have written and be famous—which is very different.
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I believe that culture begins in the cradle . . .To do without tales and stories and books is to lose humanity's past, is to have no star map for our future.
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Childrens books change lives. Stories pour into the hearts of children and help make them what they become.
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