--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I need is perspective. The illusion…" description: "\"“What I need is perspective. The illusion of depth, created by a frame, the arrangement of shapes on a flat surface. Perspective is necessary. Otherwis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/margaret-atwood-40_perspective_what-i-need-is-perspective-the-illusion_345930.jpg" --- # What I need is perspective. The illusion of depth, created… ![“What I need is perspective. The illusion of depth, created by a frame, the arrangement of shapes on a flat surface. Perspective is necessary. Otherwise there are only two dimensions. Otherwise you live with your face squashed against a wall, everything a huge foreground, of details, close-ups…” quote by Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/margaret-atwood-40_perspective_what-i-need-is-perspective-the-illusion_345930.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/margaret-atwood-40_perspective_what-i-need-is-perspective-the-illusion_345930.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/margaret-atwood-40_perspective_what-i-need-is-perspective-the-illusion_345930.jpg) > ““What I need is perspective. The illusion of depth, created by a frame, the arrangement of shapes on a flat surface. Perspective is necessary. Otherwise there are only two dimensions. Otherwise you live with your face squashed against a wall, everything a huge foreground, of details, close-ups, hairs, the weave of the bedsheet, the molecules of the face.”” [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perspective in visual art creates depth, preventing a flat, overwhelming view of details and allowing a balanced perception of space. **In simple terms:** Depth helps us see the whole, not just close‑up details. Key Takeaway Cultivate ways to view situations from multiple angles. Themes art perception depth balance visuality Mood contemplative analytical curious Type observational philosophical artistic When to use this quote - design critique - photography - interior decoration - film composition - educational illustration Key Concepts Gestalt theory spatial cognition visual hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - How does changing your viewpoint alter your emotional response? - When might detail be more valuable than overall perspective? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on detail can still obscure meaning if not balanced with context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Need Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-perspective-646713/) [Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) [Perspective Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective-illusion-3205013/) [Perspective Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective-necessary-2143797/) [Surface Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surface-perspective-3205014/) ## Related quotes > [What I need is perspective. The illusion of depth, created by a frame, the arrangement of shapes on a flat surface. Perspective is necessary.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/what-i-need-is-perspective-the-illusion-of-depth-created-by-a-frame-2/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [I think perspective is a necessary, amazing thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hasan-minhaj/i-think-perspective-is-a-necessary-amazing-thing/) [Hasan Minhaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hasan-minhaj/) > [I am against limitations like perspective. Perspective is illusion, it's the opposite of presence, and art is presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-soulages/i-am-against-limitations-like-perspective-perspective-is-illusion-it/) [Pierre Soulages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-soulages/) > [It's uncomfortable to set aside everything I know about America and listen to someone else's perspective. However, it's necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-lawrence/it-s-uncomfortable-to-set-aside-everything-i-know-about-america-and/) [Trevor Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-lawrence/) > [You need to keep your perspective. You have to remember where you came from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-jackson/you-need-to-keep-your-perspective-you-have-to-remember-where-you-came/) [Alan Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-jackson/) > [“So I decided I would do everything my Dad had not, everything I would need to have the perspective and point of view I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-johns/so-i-decided-i-would-do-everything-my-dad-had-not-everything-i-would/) [Jeff Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-johns/) > [I need to have perspective. That's one of the big things former players told me, to not try to live up to anything, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-zito/i-need-to-have-perspective-that-s-one-of-the-big-things-former/) [Barry Zito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-zito/) > [If you are going to believe in the fairy tale of 'Mr. Right,' then you need to keep everything in perspective. Know the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheem-devaughn/if-you-are-going-to-believe-in-the-fairy-tale-of-mr-right-then-you/) [Raheem DeVaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheem-devaughn/) > [In desperate times, much more than anything else, folks need perspective. For perspective brings calm. Calm leads to clear thinking. Clear thinking yields new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-andrews/in-desperate-times-much-more-than-anything-else-folks-need/) [Andy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-andrews/) > [“To get some distance from this, you first need to get some perspective. Walk outside on a clear night and just look up into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-a-singer/to-get-some-distance-from-this-you-first-need-to-get-some-perspective/) [Michael A. Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-a-singer/) > [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Success doesn't have a downside for me. I'm busy, but I've always been busy whatever job I've had. My very first job working in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-derbyshire/success-doesn-t-have-a-downside-for-me-i-m-busy-but-i-ve-always-been/) [Victoria Derbyshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-derbyshire/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) ## More by Margaret Atwood > [“I'm fine," said Pilar, "for the moment. And the moment is the only time we can be fine in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-m-fine-said-pilar-for-the-moment-and-the-moment-is-the-only-time-we/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [And yet it disturbs me to learn I have hurt someone unintentionally. I want all my hurts to be intentional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/and-yet-it-disturbs-me-to-learn-i-have-hurt-someone-unintentionally-i/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Mary: Some call this "Eve's curse," but I think that is stupid because the real curse of Eve was having to put up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/mary-some-call-this-eve-s-curse-but-i-think-that-is-stupid-because/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“The birds were singing around me, but I reflected that the very birds were strangers to me, for I did not even know their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-birds-were-singing-around-me-but-i-reflected-that-the-very-birds/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Strange how we decorate pain. These ribbons, for instance, and the small hard teardrops of blood. Who are they for? Do we think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/strange-how-we-decorate-pain-these-ribbons-for-instance-and-the-small/) [margaret atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [I wanted to forget the past, but it refused to forget me; it waited for sleep, then cornered me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-wanted-to-forget-the-past-but-it-refused-to-forget-me-it-waited-for/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Back at home they drew the curtains and read, with disapproval, with relish, with avidity and glee - even the ones who'd never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/back-at-home-they-drew-the-curtains-and-read-with-disapproval-with/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“It's my fault. I am forgetting too much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/it-s-my-fault-i-am-forgetting-too-much/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [All fiction is about people, unless it's about rabbits pretending to be people. It's all essentially characters in action, which means characters moving through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/all-fiction-is-about-people-unless-it-s-about-rabbits-pretending-to/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Simon walks back to the house alone. The night is clear and warm, with a moon, almost full, enclosed in a nimbus of mist;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/simon-walks-back-to-the-house-alone-the-night-is-clear-and-warm-with/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“There is indeed something delightful about being able to combine obedience and disobedience in the same act.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/there-is-indeed-something-delightful-about-being-able-to-combine/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Every time the women appear, Snowman is astonished all over again. They're every known colour from the deepest black to whitest white, they're various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/every-time-the-women-appear-snowman-is-astonished-all-over-again-they/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Once you publish a book, it is out of your control. You cannot dictate how people read it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/once-you-publish-a-book-it-is-out-of-your-control-you-cannot-dictate/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“The more difficult it was to love the particular man beside us, the more we believed in Love, abstract and total. We were waiting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-more-difficult-it-was-to-love-the-particular-man-beside-us-the/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“She knows she's deceiving herself about that, but she prefers to deceive herself. She desperately needs to believe such pure joy is still possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/she-knows-she-s-deceiving-herself-about-that-but-she-prefers-to/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) [Explore all 2,072 Margaret Atwood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## More Perspective quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [Success doesn't have a downside for me. I'm busy, but I've always been busy whatever job I've had. My very first job working in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-derbyshire/success-doesn-t-have-a-downside-for-me-i-m-busy-but-i-ve-always-been/) [Victoria Derbyshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-derbyshire/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [“Perspective is everything. If your “why” is big enough, you can deal with almost any “what.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-searcy/perspective-is-everything-if-your-why-is-big-enough-you-can-deal-with/) [Nelson Searcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-searcy/) > [“Being grounded in your lifelong culture and your personal perspective, you are comfortable with the way you see things and may believe it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/being-grounded-in-your-lifelong-culture-and-your-personal-perspective/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“Trauma's storm can mask the Christ and feelings can lie. I draw all the hurting voices close and I tough their scars with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/trauma-s-storm-can-mask-the-christ-and-feelings-can-lie-i-draw-all/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Just because someone is different from yourself does not mean you should treat them badly. What you don't understand is not to be taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-bognar/just-because-someone-is-different-from-yourself-does-not-mean-you/) [Jenna Bognar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-bognar/) > [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-do-spend-a-lot-of-weekends-on-the-road-i-have-to-pace-myself-it-can/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [“Economists have a singular method of procedure. There are only two kinds of institutions for them, artificial and natural. The institutions of feudalism are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/economists-have-a-singular-method-of-procedure-there-are-only-two/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [“Silver linings abound: I always knew I loved my son, but you certainly get a “perspective-check” when you go through a parting like that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kozak/silver-linings-abound-i-always-knew-i-loved-my-son-but-you-certainly/) [Rob Kozak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kozak/) > [I've been in real estate for a long time and I always try to stay on the edge. I'm really excited about the partnership…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mc-hammer/i-ve-been-in-real-estate-for-a-long-time-and-i-always-try-to-stay-on/) [MC Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mc-hammer/) > [Not to lose yourself on the path of life, you are given to look and explore life from different perspectives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandrababu-vs/not-to-lose-yourself-on-the-path-of-life-you-are-given-to-look-and/) [Chandrababu VS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandrababu-vs/) [Browse all 5,399 Perspective quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What I need is perspective. The illusion of depth, created by a frame, the arrangement of shapes on a flat surface. Perspective is necessary. Otherwise there are only two dimensions. 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