--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People need a narrative, and if there…" description: "\"People need a narrative, and if there isn't one on offer, they make one up.\" — Jean Hanff Korelitz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cde/jean-hanff-korelitz-16719_make_people-need-a-narrative-and-if-there-isn_1291778.jpg" --- # People need a narrative, and if there isn't one on offer… ![“People need a narrative, and if there isn't one on offer, they make one up.” quote by Jean Hanff Korelitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cde/jean-hanff-korelitz-16719_make_people-need-a-narrative-and-if-there-isn_1291778.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cde/jean-hanff-korelitz-16719_make_people-need-a-narrative-and-if-there-isn_1291778.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cde/jean-hanff-korelitz-16719_make_people-need-a-narrative-and-if-there-isn_1291778.jpg) > “People need a narrative, and if there isn't one on offer, they make one up.” [Jean Hanff Korelitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-hanff-korelitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People create stories to fill gaps when none are provided, shaping perception and identity. **In simple terms:** People make up stories when none exist. Key Takeaway Recognize and question narratives you encounter. Themes storytelling identity perception Mood curious critical Type analytical observational When to use this quote - political discourse - marketing campaigns - personal relationships - media consumption Key Concepts psychology social construction mythmaking Questions to Reflect On - What narratives are you accepting without evidence? - How do you verify a story's truth? A Different Perspective Narratives can be misleading or manipulative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrative/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) ## Related quotes > [We are narrative creatures, and we need narrative nourishment-nar rative catechisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/we-are-narrative-creatures-and-we-need-narrative-nourishment-nar/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) > [The trite answer is that everything is true but none of it happened. 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