Existence Quote by Charles Dickens
““You are part of my existence, part of myelf. You have been in every line I ever read, since I first came here, the rough common boy whose poor heart you wounded even then. You have been in every prospect I have ever seen since - on the river, ont he sails of the ships, on the marshes, in the clouds, in the light, in the darkness, in the wind, in the woods, in the sea, in the streets. You have been the embodiment of every graceful fancy, that my mind has ever become aquainted with. The stones of which the strongest London buildings are made, are not more real, or more impossible to be displaced by your hands, than your presence and influence you have been to me, there and everywhere, and will be. Estella, to the last hour of my life, you cannot choose but remain part of my character, part of the little good in me, part of the evil" (Pip to Estalla)””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Great Expectations, 1861
The narrator sees another person as integral to his identity, influencing all aspects of his life and moral landscape.
In simple terms: A loved one shapes one's whole being.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge those who shape you.
Themes
love
identity
influence
memory
interconnectedness
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
emotional
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- literary analysis
- self‑reflection
- therapy
Key Concepts
existential dependence
emotional imprint
character formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance influence with self‑identity?
- What relationships define your core values?
A Different Perspective
Over‑identifying with another can blur personal boundaries.
