Children Quote by Donald Barthelme
““My mother was a royal virgin," Peterson said, "and my father a shower of gold. My childhood was pastoral and energetic and rich in experiences which developed my character. As a young man I was noble in reason, infinite in faculty, in form express and admirable, and in apprehension..." Peterson went on and on and although he was, in a sense, lying, in a sense he was not.””
About This Quote
Source Story: “The Balloon” by Donald Barthelme, 1975
The narrator humorously mixes mythic imagery with self‑deception, showing how storytelling can both reveal and mask truth.
In simple terms: A storyteller mixes grand myths with lies, blurring reality.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when narrative inflates reality.
Themes
fiction
myth
self‑deception
Mood
playful
ironic
reflective
Type
literary
humorous
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- personal reflection
- teaching literature
- public speaking
- psychology
Key Concepts
postmodernism
identity
narrative truth
Questions to Reflect On
- How does exaggeration affect trust?
- When is myth useful in self‑understanding?
A Different Perspective
The exaggeration may undermine credibility if taken literally.
![“Izzi: Remember Moses Morales? Tom Verde: Who? Izzi: The Mayan guide I told you about. Tom Verde: From your trip. Izzi: Yeah. The last night I was with him, he told me about his father, who had died. Well Moses wouldn't believe it. Tom Verde: Izzi... Izzi: [embraces Tom] No, no. Listen, listen. He…” quote by Darren Aronofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/295/darren-aronofsky-9266_last-night_izzi-remember-moses-morales-tom-verde-wh_284941.jpg)
