…it insisted to her that she was a writer, when perhaps she was only a sensitive and loving reader, a lover of literature who thought she wanted to write. I think it was the writing that killed Lilly, because writing can do that. It just burned her up; she wasn't big enough to take the self-abuse of it, to take the constant chipping away – of herself.
In John Irving's "The Hotel New Hampshire," the character grapples with the identity of being a writer. Despite her deep love for literature, she questions whether she truly belongs in the realm of writing or if she is merely an admirer of the art. This internal conflict suggests that the pressures and expectations of being a writer can be overwhelming, especially for someone whose passion might outstrip their capacity to endure the struggle involved in creating art.
The narrative indicates that the act of writing may have detrimental effects on her well-being. The protagonist feels consumed by the process, implying that it can lead to self-doubt and emotional turmoil. Her experience highlights the intense and sometimes harmful nature of artistic expression, illustrating how the pursuit of writing can devour one's spirit if one is not adequately resilient to withstand its demands.
