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I feel like in the reading I did when I was growing up…

“I feel like in the reading I did when I was growing up, and also in the way that people talk and tell stories here in the South, they use a lot of figurative language. The stories that I heard when I was growing up, and the stories that I read, taught me to use the kind of language that I do. It's…” quote by Jesmyn Ward
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“I feel like in the reading I did when I was growing up, and also in the way that people talk and tell stories here in the South, they use a lot of figurative language. The stories that I heard when I was growing up, and the stories that I read, taught me to use the kind of language that I do. It's hard for me to work against that when I am writing.”

Jesmyn Ward

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The author explains how growing up with rich figurative language shaped their writing style, making it hard to deviate from that tradition.

In simple terms: Figurative language shaped her writing.

Key Takeaway

Honor your linguistic roots while experimenting.

Themes

culture language identity

Mood

thoughtful proud

Type

reflective educational

When to use this quote

  • creative writing
  • teaching literature
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

regional dialect narrative voice

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you blend tradition with new forms?
  • What benefits does figurative language bring to storytelling?
A Different Perspective

Overreliance on tradition may limit innovation.

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