Real Quote by Margaret Atwood
“There's the story, then there's the real story, then there's the story of how the story came to be told. Then there's what you leave out of the story. Which is part of the story too.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid's Tale, 1985
Stories have layers: the obvious, the deeper truth, the narrative process, and the silences that also shape meaning.
In simple terms: Stories have many hidden layers.
Key Takeaway
Consider what is omitted as part of the story.
Themes
storytelling
truth
silence
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- literary criticism
- media analysis
- personal storytelling
Key Concepts
narrative theory
meta-narrative
critical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What might be missing from a story you heard?
- How does omission affect perception?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring subtexts can lead to misunderstanding.
