“I been with strangers all day and they treated me like family. I come in here to family and you treat me like a stranger.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote by August Wilson, the speaker expresses a sense of betrayal and loneliness within their own family. The comparison between the treatment by strangers and family highlights the disappointment and hurt felt by the speaker. This quote illuminates the complexities and dynamics of familial relationships, showing how even those closest to us can sometimes make us feel like outsiders.
Modern Relevance
In today's increasingly fragmented and disconnected society, the feeling of being treated like a stranger by those we consider our own can be incredibly disheartening. This quote by August Wilson serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of kindness and familiarity within our families and communities. In a world where genuine human connection is often undervalued, this quote highlights the need for compassion and understanding in our interactions with one another.
August Wilson on the Contrast Between Family and Strangers
"I been with strangers all day and they treated me like family. I come in here to family and you treat me like a stranger." - August Wilson
In this quote, August Wilson poignantly highlights the irony of being treated better by strangers than by one's own family. The stark contrast between the warmth and acceptance received from strangers and the coldness experienced from family members is brought to light in this powerful statement.
Reflection Questions:
This quote by August Wilson highlights the theme of feeling out of place even within one's own family or community. Reflect on the following questions to explore the complexities of relationships and belonging:
Can you relate to the feeling of being treated like a stranger within your own family or community? How does it impact your sense of belonging?
In what ways do strangers sometimes show more kindness and acceptance than those closest to us? What do you think contributes to this phenomenon?
How can we bridge the gap between feeling like a stranger in familiar settings and building stronger connections with our family and community members?
Have you ever experienced a shift in the way you were treated by your family or community members, similar to the character in this quote? What led to this change?
Reflect on a time when you felt truly accepted and embraced by a group of strangers. What made that experience different from the dynamics within your own family or community?
Similar quotes
“There're times when strangers are like family, and family are like strangers”
“I had always thought that the relationships we make strangers are the hardest and the relationships we have with family the easiest. For me the opposite had been true. The family I was born into was not really my family anymore, while the family I made for myself out of strangers was mine.”
“Your generation has no sense of responsibility to a group, a calling higher than your own. You treat random friends like family and family like strangers. You want to dither your life away, pursuing one pleasure after another. That is not a path; that is a waste of life.”
“Why treat the people closest to you like strangers?”
“Treat your family like guests and your guests like family.”