I was young, and by instinct of self-preservation I had to…
“I was young, and by instinct of self-preservation I had to collect my energy on something, if I were not to be whirled away with the dusk on the farm-roads, or the smoke on the plain. I begun in the evenings to write stories, fairy-tales, and romances, that would take my mind a long way off, to other countries and times.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Escaping harsh reality through storytelling provided mental refuge.
In simple terms: Writing offered an escape from daily hardships.
Key Takeaway
Use creative outlets for relief.
Themes
literature
self‑preservation
imagination
Mood
introspective
hopeful
Type
literary
personal
When to use this quote
- war trauma
- rural life
- personal development
Key Concepts
narrative therapy
creative coping
psychological escape
Questions to Reflect On
- What stories helped you cope?
- How does imagination shape resilience?
A Different Perspective
Creative escape may avoid confronting real problems.