Quote by Virginia Woolf
Thus when I come to shape here at this table between my hands the story of my life and set it before you as a complete thing, I have to recall things gone far, gone deep, sunk into this life or that and become part of it; dreams, too, things surrounding me, and the inmates, those old half-articulate ghosts who keep up their hauntings by day and night... shadows of people one might have been; unborn selves.
Summary
In this quote, the speaker reflects on the act of recounting their life story. They acknowledge the complexity of compiling a complete narrative, as they must delve into the distant past, long-forgotten experiences, and the influences that have shaped them. The reference to dreams and surrounding elements indicates the interconnectedness of different aspects of life. Furthermore, the speaker alludes to the presence of unrealized potential and alternate paths, describing them metaphorically as "inmates" and "shadows of people one might have been." Overall, this quote encapsulates the challenge of capturing the entirety of one's life, including both tangible and intangible elements.