Accent Quote by Eileen Myles
“I was a working-class kid from Boston. But I never lost my accent because I felt like that was what I was doing. I didn't have to perform Woody Guthrie like Bob Dylan did in the '60s, I just had to make myself be Eileen Myles and let that be my shield.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 2015
The speaker embraces their working‑class roots and authentic voice, rejecting performative personas in favor of genuine self‑expression.
In simple terms: Stay true to your background and voice.
Key Takeaway
Own your identity.
Themes
authenticity
class
voice
Mood
reflective
defiant
Type
personal
cultural
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing
- personal branding
- activism
Key Concepts
self‑expression
identity
cultural heritage
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your background shape your work?
- What pressures push you toward performance?
A Different Perspective
Authenticity can be challenged by market pressures.
![“I don't think I have any right to say I belong to that [Woody Guthrie/Bob Dylan tradition]. I think that's something that eventually maybe you get inducted into. I'm just experimenting.” quote by Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d6a/justin-townes-earle-20898_bob_i-don-t-think-i-have-any-right-to-say-i_451007.jpg)
