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The language of my books has shaped me as a man.
Don Delillo
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The author attributes his personal development to the influence of literature.

In this quote, Don Delillo emphasizes the profound impact that reading and writing have had on his identity and character. He suggests that the language and themes explored in his books have not only shaped his style as a writer but have also significantly influenced his thoughts, values, and understanding of the world.

Themes

LanguageBooksIdentityInfluenceWriting

In practice

Example use cases

During a book club meeting discussing the impact of literature.

More from Don Delillo

The writer is the person who stands outside society, independent of affiliation and independent of influence.
Don DelilloRead
War is the form nostalgia takes when men are hard-pressed to say something good about their country.
Don DelilloRead
American writers ought to stand and live in the margins, and be more dangerous.
Don DelilloRead
For me, writing is a concentrated form of thinking.
Don DelilloRead
I used to think it was possible for an artist to alter the inner life of the culture. Now bomb-makers and gunmen have taken that territory.
Don DelilloRead
[I]n the American soul there is a lonely individual standing in a vast landscape. 
He is either on a horse or driving a car, depending, and either way he’s carrying a gun. 
This is one of the essential images in American mythology.
Don DelilloRead

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