Definitions Quote by Maxine Hong Kingston
“When alone I am not aware of my race or my sex, both in need of social contexts for definition.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Woman Warrior, 1976
Identity is shaped by social context; race and gender become clear only through interaction with others.
In simple terms: We define ourselves through society.
Key Takeaway
Seek diverse perspectives to understand self.
Themes
identity
culture
gender
race
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- college classrooms
- multicultural workplaces
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
sociology
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your environment shape your identity?
- What happens when social contexts are absent?
A Different Perspective
Identity can be fluid and contested.
![“The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a [person] postulates as being a greater totality than [oneself] can become a symbol of the self. For this reason the symbol of the self is not always as total as the definition would require.” quote by Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/251/carl-jung-274_defined_the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-t_7148.jpg)
