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I studied psychology in school, and the best psychology is in literature. It's so much easier to understand a character than a theory. You can recognize yourself—or other people—in a different way.
Natalie Portman
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Literature offers a deeper understanding of human behavior than psychological theories.

In this quote, Natalie Portman suggests that studying characters in literature can provide insights into human psychology that are often more relatable and comprehensible than abstract psychological theories. Literature allows us to see aspects of ourselves and others reflected in narratives, making complex psychological concepts more accessible and tangible through relatable stories and characters.

Themes

PsychologyLiteratureUnderstandingCharactersHuman Behavior

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion on the power of storytelling, you might use this quote to illustrate how narratives can enlighten our understanding of ourselves.

More from Natalie Portman

I always think the most romantic books or films are the ones where the romance doesn't happen, because it makes your heart ache so much watching it.
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I also feel I'm a positive role model by not putting my education on hold.
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The good news is we have the technology and the tools to alleviate poverty on a global scale. All that is standing in our way is education and will.
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I'm tough on myself in terms of the standards I want to live up to, but that's also part of my pleasure: Knowing you are being your fullest self. Being your fullest self is a lot of work.
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