Like for like Quotes on Identity Flashcards
“I know what it is to be desired…to be at the mercy of the feelings of another.” - Tess of the d’Urbervilles
Analysis: This quote from Tess highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by the desires and expectations of others. Tess is often objectified and valued for her physical beauty, and her identity is defined in part by how others see her.
“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.” - A Thousand Splendid Suns
Analysis: This quote from A Thousand Splendid Suns highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by geography and culture. The city of Kabul is characterized by its rich history and cultural traditions, which help to shape the identities of its inhabitants.
“It was odd, she thought, how if one was alone, one accepted loneliness as an inevitable fact, but never welcomed it; and if one was with someone else, one never quite knew what to do with them.” - Tess of the d’Urbervilles
Analysis: This quote from Tess highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by social interactions and relationships. Tess struggles with feelings of loneliness and isolation, but also feels unsure of how to connect with others and form meaningful relationships.
“It wasn’t so much that he had to leave behind so many people who knew him as he was, it was that he had to leave behind so many who didn’t.” - A Thousand Splendid Suns
Analysis: This quote from A Thousand Splendid Suns highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by our past experiences and the people we have known. Tariq struggles with the idea of leaving behind his old life in Kabul and the people who knew him as a child, highlighting the importance of personal history in shaping our sense of self.
“I am not what one calls a handsome man. I am not even what one calls a man of good looks.” - Tess of the d’Urbervilles
Analysis: This quote from Angel Clare in Tess of the d’Urbervilles highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by physical appearance and societal expectations. Angel struggles with feelings of inadequacy and a sense that he does not measure up to society’s ideals of masculinity and attractiveness.
“Why am I made to suffer thus? Why, why, why?” - Tess of the d’Urbervilles
Analysis: This quote from Tess highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by the experiences of suffering and hardship. Tess experiences a great deal of pain and adversity throughout the novel, which affects her sense of self and her perception of the world around her.
“A society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated…” - A Thousand Splendid Suns
Analysis: This quote from A Thousand Splendid Suns highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by education and the opportunities it provides. Education is a critical factor in shaping the identities and potential of the female characters in the novel, particularly in the face of societal oppression and discrimination.
“It seemed that one could not pass a single day without encountering some reminder of one’s own insignificance.” - Tess of the d’Urbervilles
Analysis: This quote from Tess highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by our place in the world and our sense of purpose. Tess struggles with feelings of insignificance and a sense that her life lacks meaning, highlighting the importance of finding a sense of purpose and direction in shaping our identities.
“I am your husband, and I expect you to obey me.” - A Thousand Splendid Suns
Analysis: This quote from Rasheed in A Thousand Splendid Suns highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by power dynamics and control. The female characters in the novel are often defined in relation to the male characters and their expectations, highlighting the role that power and control play in shaping identity.
“I hate myself for being unable to love him. But I cannot, I cannot.” - Tess of the d’Urbervilles
Analysis: This quote from Tess highlights the idea that identity can be shaped by our emotional experiences and the ways in which we connect with others. Tess struggles with feelings of love and attraction throughout the novel, which affect her sense of self and her relationships with others.
