Quote by C.S. Lewis
Literary experience heals the wound, without undermining the privilege, of individuality. . . in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with a myriad eyes, but it is still I who see. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, and in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do.
Summary
This quote highlights the transformative power of literary experience. It suggests that reading great literature allows individuals to both escape their own realities and deeply understand the human experience. By immersing themselves in the world of books, readers become capable of seeing different perspectives and embodying multiple characters, yet, they never lose their core identity. This process of transcendence and self-discovery is compared to other meaningful aspects of life such as worship, love, moral action, and gaining knowledge. Ultimately, literature helps heal wounds and affirm the importance of individuality while expanding the boundaries of understanding.
By C.S. Lewis
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