You ask me what it means to be irrelevant? The feeling is akin to visiting your old house as a wandering ghost with unfinished business. Imagine going back: the structure is familiar ,but the door is now metal instead of wood,the walls have been painted a garish pink ,the easy chair you loved so much is gone .Your office is now the family room and your beloved bookcases have been replaced by a brand-new television set . This is your house,and it is not. And you are no longer relevant to this house , to its walls and doors and floors ; you are not seen .
📖 Azar Nafisi
The quote describes the profound sense of loss and disconnection one feels when confronted with changes in a familiar environment. The author illustrates this feeling of irrelevance by comparing it to visiting a childhood home that has been altered beyond recognition. Once cherished elements have been replaced, evoking a sense of nostalgia for what once was, yet also highlighting the harsh reality of being forgotten and unseen in a space that used to feel like home.
This metaphor suggests that as we grow and change, our relationship with places and memories also transforms. The author captures the essence of longing and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, where the familiarity of a past identity clashes with the present's new realities. This creates a haunting experience, akin to being a ghost in a house that still belonged to you but no longer feels like yours.
