Question

"we tell ourselves stories in order to live."
please help interpret this quote :)

Answer 1

This is actually quite elegant and something with which nearly everyone can relate.

Didion is an author and is well known for her contributions to contemporary American literature.

Here, she is expressing a phenomenon of the human condition. She notes the fascinating idea that everything any individual sees, hears, does, understands, or experiences is relative and is subjective; as such, everything is seen differently by everyone.

Extending this, Didion says that, in a sense, we are all storytellers to ourselves. We interpret things, events, cues, etc. by experiencing, analyzing, and acting upon what we think to ourselves. Without words or thoughts, we could not experience or appreciate any part of life. Though what we tell ourselves may not be entirely accurate or true, we gain experience and memories by remembering and memorializing events and things and people.

Very poignant, and very true.

Answer 2

couldn't have said it any better, thank you so much ! :)

Answer 3

np