"You read something which you thought only happened to you, and you discover that it happened 100 years ago to Dostoyevsky. This is a very great liberation for the suffering, struggling person, who always thinks that he is alone. This is why art is important. Art would not be important if life were not important, and life is important." — James Baldwin
In this quote, James Baldwin, an African American writer and social critic, is emphasizing the importance of art in helping individuals to understand that they are not alone in their struggles. He describes the experience of reading something that resonates deeply with one's own experiences, and discovering that others have experienced similar things in the past. This realization, Baldwin argues, is a "great liberation" for people who are struggling, as it helps to alleviate the feeling of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies difficult experiences. Baldwin suggests that this is why art is important: because it has the power to connect people across time and space, and to provide solace and understanding to those who are struggling. He also suggests that this connection to others is essential to the experience of being alive, and that art is therefore an important part of life itself. Overall, Baldwin's quote highlights the role that art can play in helping people to understand and connect with one another, and in providing comfort and meaning in difficult times.
James Baldwin was an American novelist, essayist, playwright, and social critic.