Another Quote by Hisham Matar
“Nothing we read can import new or foreign feelings that we don't, in one form or another, already possess.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land of the Lost by Hisham Matar, 2016
Reading only evokes feelings we already have, reshaping them rather than creating new emotions.
In simple terms: Reading triggers existing emotions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize your emotional baseline before reading.
Themes
literature
emotion
self-awareness
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- therapy sessions
- creative writing
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
affect theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions do you discover in yourself while reading?
- How does prior experience shape your interpretation?
A Different Perspective
May limit exposure to truly novel emotional experiences.
