Books Quote by Margaret Atwood
““I’d been reading modern French novels, and William Faulkner as well. I knew what love was supposed to be: obsession, with undertones of nausea.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 2012
The speaker describes love as a cultural narrative shaped by literature, portraying it as an obsessive, unsettling force.
In simple terms: Love is seen as obsessive and unsettling due to literary influence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize love’s myths and seek authentic connection.
Themes
love
obsession
literature
culture
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- reading relationships
- self‑reflection
- media consumption
Key Concepts
Romantic idealism
psychology of desire
narrative influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media shape your view of love?
- Can you separate personal feeling from cultural scripts?
A Different Perspective
Literary depictions can distort realistic expectations of love.
![“I think that [William] Faulkner and I each had to escape certain particulars of our lives, and we found salvation through words. I understand the Bible story of Babel so much better now. I think that moments of extremity, desires of escape, lead us to foreign languages--not those learned in…” quote by Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0ae/tennessee-williams-745_better-now_i-think-that-william-faulkner-and-i-each_1247777.jpg)
