"At painful times, when composition is impossible and reading is not enough, grammars and dictionaries are excellent for distraction"
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning
About this Quote
This quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning speaks with the power of language and literature to supply comfort and interruption in times of discomfort. She recommends that when we are not able to write or read in a meaningful method, turning to grammars and dictionaries can be an useful distraction. This is likely because these resources supply a structure and order to language that can be calming and reassuring. Additionally, they can provide a sense of achievement and progress as one overcomes them. Ultimately, Browning is recommending that language and literature can be a source of solace and diversion in challenging times.
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