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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
Orson Scott Card
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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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