Africa Quote by Jean-Paul Sartre
““This obsessing heart which does not correspond To my language, nor to my customs, And on which encroach, like a clinging-root, Borrowed feelings and the customs Of Europe, feel this suffering And this despair—equal to no other— Of ever taming with words from France This heart which came to me from Sénegal. - Haitian poet””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Haitian Poetry Collection, unknown author
The speaker feels alienated because their heart adopts foreign customs and language, causing deep inner conflict and despair.
In simple terms: Foreign influences cause inner conflict.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and reconcile cultural influences.
Themes
identity
alienation
culture
language
conflict
Mood
conflicted
melancholic
Type
poetic
reflective
When to use this quote
- immigrant experience
- language learning
- cultural adaptation
- personal identity crisis
Key Concepts
cultural assimilation
psychological distress
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance external influences with inner authenticity?
- What aspects of your heritage feel most threatened by foreign customs?
A Different Perspective
Foreign customs may not align with personal values, leading to ongoing tension.
![“[Stéphane Mallarmé] theory of the hermetic is a mistake, but he can be only difficult to read when he has difficult things to say.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/35f/jean-paul-sartre-220_difficult_st-phane-mallarm-theory-of-the-hermetic_20348.jpg)
