Dreams Quote by Jeanette Winterson
““What could I do? My needlework teacher suffered from a problem of vision. She recognised things according to expectation and environment. If you were in a particular place, you expected to see particular things. Sheep and hills, sea and fish; if there was an elephant in the supermarket, she’d either not see it at all, or call it Mrs Jones and talk about fishcakes. But most likely, she’d do what most people do when confronted with something they don’t understand: Panic.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Passion" (1997) or essay collection (unknown)
Describes how expectations shape perception, leading to misinterpretation when confronted with the unexpected.
In simple terms: Expectations filter what we see.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions before reacting.
Themes
perception
expectation
misunderstanding
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- learning new skills
- cross‑cultural communication
- critical thinking
- problem solving
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What expectations might be limiting your view?
- How can you train to notice the unexpected?
A Different Perspective
Our brains can misread unfamiliar situations.
