Meaning: Nelly Sachs was a German-Swedish poet and playwright who was born in 1891 and passed away in 1970. She was a Jewish woman who experienced the horrors of the Holocaust, and her work often reflects the deep emotional and psychological impact of this traumatic period in history. The quote "To me, a fairy tale seems to have become reality" is a powerful and thought-provoking statement that encapsulates Sachs' perspective on life and the world around her.

In this quote, Sachs seems to be expressing a sense of disbelief or astonishment at the way reality has unfolded. She suggests that something fantastical or extraordinary, like a fairy tale, has somehow manifested itself in the real world. This sentiment is particularly poignant when considered in the context of Sachs' personal experiences and the historical events that shaped her life and writing.

Sachs' use of the term "fairy tale" carries significant weight. Fairy tales are often associated with magical and enchanting narratives that transport readers to fantastical realms where anything is possible. They frequently feature themes of heroism, transformation, and overcoming adversity. However, fairy tales are also known for their dark undertones and the presence of danger, evil, and struggle. In many ways, the experiences of Sachs and other Holocaust survivors mirror the complexities and contradictions found within traditional fairy tales.

By stating that a fairy tale has become reality, Sachs may be acknowledging the surreal and almost unbelievable nature of the events that she has witnessed and lived through. The Holocaust, with its unimaginable atrocities and widespread suffering, may have seemed like a nightmarish fairy tale come to life for Sachs and countless others. The juxtaposition of the extraordinary and the real, as implied in the quote, speaks to the profound impact of the historical traumas that shaped Sachs' worldview and artistic expression.

Sachs' perspective on reality and the blurring of boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary is also reflected in her poetry. Her works often blend elements of dreamlike imagery with stark, unflinching portrayals of human suffering and resilience. By invoking the idea of a fairy tale turned real, Sachs may be highlighting the surreal and almost paradoxical nature of existence in the aftermath of such profound historical trauma.

Moreover, the quote can be interpreted as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Despite the horrors and hardships that Sachs and others endured during the Holocaust, there is a sense of hope and wonder in her words. By likening reality to a fairy tale, she may be emphasizing the enduring power of imagination, storytelling, and the capacity for transformation and redemption.

In conclusion, Nelly Sachs' quote "To me, a fairy tale seems to have become reality" encapsulates her profound and complex perspective on life, reality, and the enduring impact of historical trauma. Through this statement, Sachs invites us to contemplate the ways in which the extraordinary and the ordinary intersect, and how the human spirit can persist and find meaning even in the darkest of times. Her words serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of profound adversity.