And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.
Orson Scott CardRead
I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth: the mythic truth about human nature in general, the particular truth about those life-communities that define our own identity, and the most specific truth of all: our own self-story. Fiction, because it is not about someone who lived in the real world, always has the possibility of being about oneself. --From the Introduction
Interpretation
What this quote means
Fiction allows us to explore deeper truths about ourselves and our communities, despite being made up.
In this quote, Orson Scott Card emphasizes that while fictional stories may not represent reality, they reveal profound truths about human nature, our identities, and the communities we belong to. By engaging with fiction, readers can find reflections of their own lives and experiences, thus uncovering deeper meanings and connections that resonate on a personal level.
Themes
FictionTruthIdentityHuman NatureStorytelling
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a book club discussion to highlight the impact of fiction on personal growth.
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You take a step, then another. That's the journey. But to take a step with your eyes open is not a journey at all, it's a remaking of your own mind.
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I've had your tears with mine, and you've had mine with yours. I think that's more intimate even than a kiss.
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