Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life.
Interpretation
Facing reality, even if painful, is preferable to living in ignorance.
In this quote, Kate Chopin expresses the idea that experiencing the truth, even when it leads to suffering, is more valuable than living a life built on false beliefs and illusions. It suggests that confronting reality provides opportunities for growth and awareness, despite the discomfort it may bring.
In practice
In a motivational talk about personal growth, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of facing difficult truths.
She looked into the distance, and the old terror flamed up for an instant, then sank again. Edna heard her father's voice and her sister Margaret's. She heard the barking of an old dog that was chained to the sycamore tree. The spurs of the cavalry officer clanged as he walked across the porch. There was the hum of bees, and the musky odor of pinks filled the air. (last lines)
There were days when she was unhappy, she did not know why,--when it did not seem worthwhile to be glad or sorry, to be alive or dead; when life appeared to her like a grotesque pandemonium and humanity like worms struggling blindly toward inevitable annihilation.
She's got some sort of notion in her head concerning the eternal rights of women.
Well, for instance, when I left her today, she put her arms around me and felt my shoulder blades, to see if my wings were strong, she said.
I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself.
There would be no one there to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistance with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination.
It isn't only in the name of free speech that the views of an itchy polemicist should be tolerated - and I say itchy polemicist promoting thought, not itchy ideologue promoting violence - but because provocation is indispensable to the workings of a sound, creative culture.
Years ago, I noticed one thing about economics, and that is that economists didn't get anything right.
Thou shalt not answer questionnaires Or quizzes upon world affairs, Nor with compliance Take any test. Thou shalt not sit with statisticians nor commit A social science.
Pour out wine till I become a wanderer from myself; for in selfhood and existence I have felt only fatigue.
The frustrating part of being tagged 'controversial' is people go looking for trouble where there isn't any to look for.
Do not feel certain of anything.
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