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Desire Quote by Hélène Cixous

“I, too, overflow; my desires have invented new desires, my body knows unheard-of songs. Time and again I, too, have felt so full of luminous torrents that I could burst-burst with forms much more beautiful than those which are put up in frames and sold for a fortune. And I, too, said nothing…” quote by Hélène Cixous
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““I, too, overflow; my desires have invented new desires, my body knows unheard-of songs. Time and again I, too, have felt so full of luminous torrents that I could burst-burst with forms much more beautiful than those which are put up in frames and sold for a fortune. And I, too, said nothing, showed nothing; I didn't open my mouth, I didn't repaint my half of the world. I was ashamed. I was afraid, and I swallowed my shame and my fear. I said to myself: You are mad! What's the meaning of these waves, these floods, these outbursts? Where is the ebullient infinite woman who...hasn't been ashamed of her strength? Who, surprised and horrified by the fantastic tumult of her drives (for she was made to believe that a well-adjusted normal woman has a ...divine composure), hasn't accused herself of being a monster? Who, feeling a funny desire stirring inside her (to sing, to write, to dare to speak, in short, to bring out something new), hasn't thought that she was sick? Well, her shameful sickness is that she resists death, that she makes trouble.””

Hélène Cixous

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Laugh of the Medusa, 1975

A woman confronts societal expectations that suppress her creative and emotional intensity, recognizing shame and fear as barriers to authentic expression.

In simple terms: A woman feels trapped by expectations, fearing her own passion.

Key Takeaway

Embrace your inner turbulence and create despite shame.

Themes

feminism creativity identity shame fear

Mood

defiant reflective empowering

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • artistic creation
  • personal therapy
  • public speaking
  • writing workshops
  • activist movements

Key Concepts

psychoanalysis gender theory self‑actualization

Questions to Reflect On

  • What inner desires have you suppressed?
  • How can you channel fear into creative energy?
A Different Perspective

Societal pressure may still silence voices even when they try to express themselves.

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