In the Constitution of the United States, Negroes are referred to as fellows although the word 'slave' is carefully avoided before the thirteenth amendment.
W. E. B. Du BoisRead
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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