Life Quote by Michael Cisco
““She starkly sees her inanimate future blocked out before her right through to her own end—without him... ...and worst of all, she knows she will be asked about him and be called upon to talk about him and tell the story again and again...her jaws will work without end with all that talking her jaws will chew up the ravel of all her remaining life, telling the same story until it becomes bare and alien and something blunt to her; more the belonging of other people, and no longer hers. Now she has to live ordinarily...she's going to have to numb herself if she's going to go on—no going on from this point without getting numb.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Book of the Dead” by Michael Cisco, 2015
A character feels trapped by endless retelling of a past relationship, leading to numbness and loss of self.
In simple terms: Repeated storytelling can numb and erase personal identity.
Key Takeaway
Seek new narratives to reclaim self.
Themes
identity
memory
trauma
storytelling
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- writing workshops
- relationship counseling
- personal healing
Key Concepts
repetition
self‑loss
emotional numbness
Questions to Reflect On
- What narratives dominate your life?
- How can you break cycles of repetitive storytelling?
A Different Perspective
The story may become alienating and suppress individuality.
