“Language always pre-exists us: it is always already 'in place', waiting to assign us our places within it.”
Source: 1980s, Literary Theory: An Introduction (1983), Chapter 5, p. 151
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Terry Eagleton 57
British writer, academic and educator 1943Related quotes

This Business of Living (1935-1950)
Source: Il mestiere di vivere: Diario 1935-1950
Context: When we read, we are not looking for new ideas, but to see our own thoughts given the seal of confirmation on the printed page. The words that strike us are those that awake an echo in a zone we have already made our own—the place where we live—and the vibration enables us to find fresh starting points within ourselves.

Z. Hanfi, trans., in The Fiery Brook (1972), p. 68
Towards a Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy (1839)

"Poetry is Not a Luxury"
Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches (1984)

The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England (1801), Rank of hunting birds

“I've always thought that a feeling which changes never existed in the first place.”

Remarks at the launch of his book – At the Deep End http://www.zimeye.org/?p=41996&cpage=1