"I was born to be alone, and I always shall be; but now I want to be"

The quote from Mary MacLane, "I was born to be alone, and I constantly shall be; and now I wish to be", encapsulates a poignant expedition of privacy, self-acceptance, and the human desire for connection or independence. MacLane, understood for her reflective and often questionable writing in the early 20th century, regularly grappled with themes of seclusion and identity, and this quote reflects such inner conflict and realization.

The very first part of the sentence, "I was born to be alone, and I constantly will be", suggests an ingrained belief or acceptance of solitude as an intrinsic part of her identity. There is a resignation here, a recommendation that aloneness is not simply a circumstance however rather an essential aspect of her presence. This might resonate with numerous who feel essentially detached from social standards or who recognize as shy and discover solace in their own company. It talks to a recognition of one's nature that might originate from life experiences, personality type, or perhaps existential reflections.

However, the declaration deviates with "but now I want to be", presenting a desire that contrasts with the preliminary acceptance. This suggests a shift in viewpoint or experience that makes privacy not only a condition but an option-- a deliberate embrace of being alone rather than a simple resignation. It represents empowerment, transforming what might be viewed as an absence into a form of autonomy and even self-liberation. Selecting to be alone can indicate prioritizing self-discovery, independence, or personal peace over societal pressures to comply with relational norms.

In a broader sense, MacLane's words depict the universal human journey of fixing up one's nature with individual desires. Her statement holds the stress between destiny and desire, illustrating that while some elements of our being might be ingrained, we always keep the power to redefine our relationship with them. For MacLane, privacy is accepted not as a restriction but as a genuine state where she discovers truth and strength.