Right hand Quote by Lydia Davis
““There is his right leg over my right leg, my left leg over his right leg, his left arm under my back, my right arm around his head, his right arm across my chest, my left arm across his right arm, and my right hand stroking his right temple. Now it becomes difficult to tell what part of what body is actually mine and what part his. I rub his head as it lies pressed against mine, and I hear the strands of his hair chafing against his skull as though it is my own hair chafing against my own skull, as though I now hear with his ears, and from inside his head.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Body” in The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis, 2009
The passage blurs personal boundaries, describing intimate physical entanglement that makes identity merge with another's body.
In simple terms: Physical closeness erases self‑other distinction.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how deep connection can alter self‑perception.
Themes
intimacy
identity
embodiment
Mood
reflective
intimate
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- marriage
- dance
- therapeutic touch
- co‑sleeping
Key Concepts
phenomenology
subjectivity
embodied cognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How does physical proximity affect your sense of self?
- When does intimacy become a loss of individuality?
A Different Perspective
May overlook emotional autonomy in physical closeness.
![“I worked more intensively hour after hour when I was starting out [writing]. More laboriously. I'd say quantity is important as well as quality, and if you're not producing enough, make a schedule and stick to it.” quote by Lydia Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29b/lydia-davis-3244_after-hours_i-worked-more-intensively-hour-after-hou_171566.jpg)
