Illusion Quote by Salman Rushdie
““Things aren't like this," he kept repeating. "It shouldn't be this way." As if he had access to some other plane of existence, some parallel, "right" universe, and had sensed that our time had somehow been put out of joint. Such was his vehemence that I found myself believing him, believing, for example, in the possibility of that other life in which Vina had never left and we were making our lives together, all three of us, ascending together to the stars. Then he shook his head, and the spell broke. He opened his eyes, grinning ruefully. As if he knew his thoughts had infected mine. As if he knew his power. "Better get on with it," he said. "Make do with what there is.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie, 1981
He describes a character convinced of alternate realities, illustrating how belief can shape perception and hope.
In simple terms: Belief in other worlds changes how we see our own.
Key Takeaway
Question your assumptions, stay present.
Themes
reality
perception
hope
belief
imagination
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- grief
- relationship loss
- creative writing
- personal growth
Key Concepts
multiverse
psychology
narrative
subjectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this character’s belief reveal about coping?
- How can imagination aid healing?
A Different Perspective
The alternate reality may distract from present responsibilities.
