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Let me put it this way: when I read, I learned the world was not as small as my house. And that everybody in my home town was not representative of the way people in the world were raised. And that was what saved me.
Terry Mcmillan
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights how reading expands one's understanding of the world beyond their immediate surroundings.

Terry McMillan emphasizes the transformative power of reading in her quote, illustrating how literature allowed her to perceive the vast diversity of life experiences beyond her hometown. By revealing the broader spectrum of human existence, reading provided her with a sense of salvation, suggesting that increased awareness and understanding can lead to personal growth and liberation from narrow perspectives.

Themes

ReadingLearningWorldviewPerspectiveGrowth

In practice

Example use cases

During a literacy event to inspire children, I could use this quote to show them how books can open up their understanding of the world.

More from Terry Mcmillan

Don't worry about how pretty (the story) sounds, how lilting it is, and the imagery, and the metaphor, all that. Most readers don't care. It's the people in your book that matter.
Terry McmillanRead

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