Being real Quote by Rebecca Solnit
![“The poet Marianne Moore famously wrote of 'real toads in imaginary gardens,' and the labyrinth offers us the possibility of being real creatures in symbolic space...In such spaces as the labyrinth we cross over [between real and imaginary spaces]; we are really travelling, even if the destination…” quote by Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/33e/rebecca-solnit-569_being-real_the-poet-marianne-moore-famously-wrote-o_2082088.jpg)
“The poet Marianne Moore famously wrote of 'real toads in imaginary gardens,' and the labyrinth offers us the possibility of being real creatures in symbolic space...In such spaces as the labyrinth we cross over [between real and imaginary spaces]; we are really travelling, even if the destination is only symbolic.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Great Good Place" by Rebecca Solnit, 1998
The labyrinth symbolizes a bridge between tangible reality and imagination, allowing us to experience authentic existence within symbolic realms.
In simple terms: Labyrinths let us be real in imagined spaces.
Key Takeaway
Embrace symbolic journeys to discover authentic self.
Themes
identity
symbolism
journey
creativity
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
creative
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- art installations
- personal meditation
- creative writing
Key Concepts
phenomenology
spatial metaphor
self‑discovery
Questions to Reflect On
- How does navigating symbolic spaces affect real‑world decisions?
- What does “real” mean in imagined contexts?
A Different Perspective
Symbolic spaces may feel detached from practical outcomes.
![“[Marianne Moore's definition of genuine poetry] -- Imaginary gardens with real toads in them.” quote by Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/951/marianne-moore-3315_gardening_marianne-moore-s-definition-of-genuine-p_719438.jpg)
![“[In mountaineering, if] we look for private experience rather than public history, even getting to the top becomes an optional narrative rather than the main point, and those who only wander in high places become part of the story.” quote by Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e6/rebecca-solnit-569_high-places_in-mountaineering-if-we-look-for-private_78831.jpg)
