Crazy Quote by Adam Gopnik
![“Men choose Hamlet because every man sees himself as a disinherited monarch. Women choose Alice [in Wonderland] because every woman sees herself as the only reasonable creature among crazy people who think they are disinherited monarchs.” quote by Adam Gopnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ce8/adam-gopnik-6789_crazy_men-choose-hamlet-because-every-man-sees_2877773.jpg)
“Men choose Hamlet because every man sees himself as a disinherited monarch. Women choose Alice [in Wonderland] because every woman sees herself as the only reasonable creature among crazy people who think they are disinherited monarchs.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being a Woman”, 2015
The quote highlights how people project their own sense of alienation onto literary characters, seeing themselves as outsiders or rightful heirs in a chaotic world.
In simple terms: People identify with characters who feel out of place or entitled.
Key Takeaway
Recognize projection in your own preferences.
Themes
identity
literature
gender
projection
alienation
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- reading clubs
- personal reflection
- therapy sessions
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
psychology
social archetype
narrative identification
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you choose books that reflect your self‑image?
- How does this affect your empathy for others?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex characters to fit personal narratives.
![“Often the block [in writing] comes from the wall of words that keep out the simplicity of sense.” quote by Adam Gopnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c2/adam-gopnik-6789_block_often-the-block-in-writing-comes-from-th_28695.jpg)
![“Leafing through Forbes or Fortune [magazine]s is like reading the operating manual of a strangely sanctimonious pirate ship” quote by Adam Gopnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd5/adam-gopnik-6789_forbes_leafing-through-forbes-or-fortune-magazi_152931.jpg)
![“[A]s military history reveals, a bad plan is often better than no plan, especially if the people on the other side think it’s a good plan.” quote by Adam Gopnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f30/adam-gopnik-6789_bad-plans_a-s-military-history-reveals-a-bad-plan_477781.jpg)
