Reading is the unbelievably healthy way _x000D_ my attention deficit disorder medicates itself. _x000D_ Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to _x000D_ make contact with reality after a day of making things up.
When you're young, you think that clothes are almost magical, and that if you wear the right thing - to school, to the prom, on the date, etc. - something's going to happen. Black, it's the anti-magical thing. It comes from the recognition that it is not going to be 'the' dress.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the youthful belief in the magic of clothing and how it can shape experiences, contrasting this with a more realistic outlook.
Nora Ephron's quote captures the idealistic notion that clothes have the power to transform experiences and create significant moments in youth. It highlights how young individuals often believe that wearing the right outfit can lead to special outcomes, especially in pivotal moments like attending a dance or going on a date. However, Ephron introduces a more grounded perspective by suggesting that such magical thinking fades with age, particularly illustrated by the mention of black clothing, symbolizing practicality and the understanding that external appearances do not guarantee fulfillment or extraordinary experiences.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about teenage fashion trends, this quote could highlight the naivety surrounding clothing choices.
More from Nora Ephron
All quotes →Reading makes me feel I've accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. ... Reading is bliss.
I just want to go on making movies, and some of them will be completely meaningless, except, of course, to me.
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Marriages come and go, but divorce is forever.
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