Admiration Quote by Joan Didion
![“If you are doing a piece about somebody, even if you admire them tremendously and express that in the piece, express that admiration, if they're not used to being written about, if they're civilians, [...] they're not used to seeing themselves through other people's eyes. So you will always see…” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d61/joan-didion-497_admiration_if-you-are-doing-a-piece-about-somebody_2985641.jpg)
“If you are doing a piece about somebody, even if you admire them tremendously and express that in the piece, express that admiration, if they're not used to being written about, if they're civilians, [...] they're not used to seeing themselves through other people's eyes. So you will always see them from a slightly different angle than they see themselves, and they feel a little betrayed by that.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The White Album, Joan Didion, 1979
Writing about private individuals can unintentionally expose them to perspectives they never chose, causing feelings of betrayal.
In simple terms: Writing about people may betray them.
Key Takeaway
Consider subjects' comfort before publishing.
Themes
privacy
ethics
perspective
trust
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
ethical
analytical
When to use this quote
- journalism
- biography
- profile pieces
Key Concepts
subjectivity
public eye
authorial responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How might you balance honesty with respect for privacy?
- What responsibilities do writers have to their subjects?
![“I read so ravenously that I would read through whole categories. I was crazy about reading biographies. [...] I think biographies are very urgent to children.” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a53/joan-didion-497_biographies_i-read-so-ravenously-that-i-would-read-t_43631.jpg)
