One reason writers write is out of revenge. Life hurts; certain ideas and experiences hurt; one wants to clarify, to set out illuminations, to replay the old bad scenes and get the Treppenworte said -- the words one didn't have the strength or ripeness to say when those words were necessary for one's dignity or survival.

Summary

This quote suggests that one motivation for writers to write is driven by a desire for revenge. Life often presents painful circumstances, and through writing, individuals seek to gain clarity and shed light on ideas and experiences that have caused them hurt. By revisiting old, negative situations, writers can finally express the words they didn't have the strength or maturity to articulate in those moments when their dignity or survival was at stake. Writing becomes a cathartic means of quelling past injustices and finding closure.

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