Without the gods, how would I sing?' I asked.With your own voice,' he said.
Erica Jong Sappho's Leap
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In Erica Jong's "Sappho's Leap," the protagonist grapples with the concept of inspiration and the role of divine influence in her creative process. The exchange highlights a tension between reliance on external forces and the power of self-expression. The protagonist's question about singing without the gods reflects a search for understanding the source of her creativity.

The response, "With your own voice," emphasizes the importance of personal agency and inner strength. It suggests that true artistry comes from within, advising the protagonist to embrace her unique voice instead of seeking validation or inspiration solely from the gods. This dialogue encapsulates a central theme of the narrative: the journey to self-discovery and the assertion of one's individuality in the face of spiritual and societal expectations.

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Sappho's Leap
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Erica Jong
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February 17, 2025
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Other quotes in Sappho's Leap

Great loves have legs and wings. They are substantial. They do not dissapate so easily... Great loves have staying power. Or so I told myself.
Erica Jong Sappho's Leap
Great loves have legs and wings. They are substantial. They do not dissapate so easily... Great loves have staying power. Or so I told myself.
But if the gods do not exist at all - then we are lost,' I said.On the contrary - we are found!' said Aesop.But when we are afraid, who can we turn to, if not the gods?'Ourselves. We turn to ourselves anyway. We only pretend there are gods and that they care about us. It is a comforting falsehood.
Erica Jong Sappho's Leap
But if the gods do not exist at all - then we are lost,' I said.On the contrary - we are found!' said Aesop.But when we are afraid, who can we turn to, if not the gods?'Ourselves. We turn to ourselves anyway. We only pretend there are gods and that they care about us. It is a comforting falsehood.
Without the gods, how would I sing?' I asked.With your own voice,' he said.
Erica Jong Sappho's Leap
Without the gods, how would I sing?' I asked.With your own voice,' he said.
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That knowledge humbles me, melts my bones, closes my ears, and makes my teeth rock loosely in their gums. And it also liberates me. I am a big bird winging over high mountains, down into serene valleys. I am ripples of waves on silver seas. I'm a spring leaf trembling in anticipation.
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