Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
William ShakespeareRead
Searching for the self when I was entirely alone was hazardous. What if I found not so much a great emptiness as a space full of unpleasant contents, a compound of long-hidden truths, closeted, buried, forgotten. When I went looking, I was playing a desperate game of hide-and-seek, fearful of what I might find, most afraid that I would find nothing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the dangers of self-discovery and the fear of confronting hidden or uncomfortable truths about oneself.
In this quote, Doris Grumbach illustrates the often daunting journey of self-exploration, suggesting that delving into one's inner self can reveal not only forgotten truths but also deeply buried fears and uncomfortable contents. The metaphor of playing 'hide-and-seek' emphasizes the paradox of seeking understanding while simultaneously fearing the outcomes of such a quest, particularly the dread of unearthing a void or nothingness.
Themes
Self-DiscoveryFearTruthPhilosophyInner Self
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about embracing personal challenges.
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