To belong to a clan, to a tight group of people allied by blood and loyalties and the mutual ownership of closeted skeletons. To see the family vices and virtues in a dozen avatars instead of in two or three. To know always, whether you were in Little Rock or Menton, that there was one place to which you belonged and to which you would return. To have that rush of sentimental loyalty at the sound of a name, to love and know a single place, from the newest baby-squall on the street to the blunt cuneiform of the burial ground . .
In the quote by Wallace Stegner, the essence of belonging to a clan is captured. It highlights the deep ties formed through shared heritage, loyalties, and family secrets that create a strong bond among members. The experience of belonging extends beyond immediate families, encompassing a broader community where individuals can see a multitude of traits and histories represented, enriching their understanding of their lineage and environment.
Stegner emphasizes the importance of having a sense of place, a consistent refuge where one feels secure and connected. This place fosters a unique loyalty, evoking strong emotions tied to personal and collective memories, from the lively present to the solemn past. It suggests that belonging to such a community offers both comfort and a profound sense of identity, encompassing all life experiences from joy to grief.
