At the beginning of the book [The Dissemblers], Ivy…
“At the beginning of the book [The Dissemblers], Ivy [Wilkes] has a long way to go in order to achieve self-sufficiency. Although she is very independent, even somewhat of a loner, she is very affected by other peoples' opinions. At the opening of the book, her ideas of success and achievement are largely defined by the approval of others; over the arc of the story, I think that begins to change a little.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ivy’s early reliance on others’ approval limits her independence, but she gradually learns self‑reliance.
In simple terms: She learns to trust herself more over time.
Cultivate self‑trust and reduce dependence on external validation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- college
- career start
- creative projects
- family expectations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you shifted from seeking approval to trusting yourself?
- What supports your self‑confidence?
Change is gradual and may face setbacks.