Human personality Quote by Doris Lessing
““And thinking about this, which I have done so much, I discover that I come around, by a back door, to another of the things that obsess me. I mean, of course, this question of ‘personality’. Heaven knows we are never allowed to forget that the ‘personality’ doesn’t exist any more. It’s the theme of half the novels written, the theme of the sociologists and all the other -ologists. We’re told so often that human personality has disintegrated into nothing under pressure of all our knowledge that I’ve even been believing it.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Fiction, 1990
The concept of a fixed personality is a myth; identity is fluid and shaped by external narratives and knowledge.
In simple terms: Personality is not fixed; it's shaped by stories and knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Recognize identity’s fluidity.
Themes
identity
philosophy
psychology
literature
knowledge
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- reading literature
- psychotherapy
- social media analysis
- educational curricula
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
self-concept
social construction
narrative theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do narratives shape your self‑view?
- Can some aspects of personality remain constant?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on fluidity may ignore stable traits.
