My Metaphor for Literature

🚪Anyway Door:🚪

For me, literature has always been like Doraemon’s Anywhere Door.

Some people might be aware of it, while others may not, so let’s first understand what the Anywhere Door is. The Anywhere Door, also known as the Dokodemo Door in Japanese, is a popular teleportation device from the Doraemon manga series. This pink door serves as a portal, allowing users to travel to any location of their choice. To select a destination, users can either speak into the door or attach a photo of a person or place, with the door determining the location based on the image provided. Once the user passes through, the portal at the departing end disappears upon closing the door on the other side. To ensure privacy, the door can also be locked to prevent others from following.

The Anywhere Door holds significant popularity in the Doraemon series and has been featured in several movies. Its origin and history are explored in the 2013 film Doraemon: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum. Additionally, in Nobita and the Kingdom of Clouds, the door’s functionality extends beyond teleportation; by tampering with the doorknob, it can temporarily function as a time machine.

"I have lived a thousand lives and I have loved a thousand loves. 

I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time. 

Because I read." 

- George R.R. Martin 

Just as the Anywhere Door enables someone to step from one place to another in an instant, literature allows my mind to transcend space and time. I may be physically sitting in Bhavnagar, but the moment I open a book, I find myself walking through the bustling streets of London, exploring the ancient temples of Kyoto, or sailing across stormy seas with a daring crew.

For me, literature is like the Anywhere Door—a magical gateway that transports me beyond the physical limits of my surroundings. However, what differentiates literature from the actual features of the Anywhere Door is its limitless nature. The Anywhere Door is confined to physical travel in the same time period, moving only the body from one place to another. In contrast, literature enables the mind to journey through imagination, ideas, and thoughts. It is not restricted by time or space. Through literature, one can travel not just to different places but also across time—into the past or the future. It even allows for journeys beyond our universe, opening portals to entirely new worlds, parallel universes, or imagined realms through the power of imagination.

One of the most fascinating aspects of literature is how effortlessly it transports me. When I read Gun Island by Amitav Ghosh, I wasn’t just reading about Deen Datta’s journey—I was with him. I could feel the humid air of the Sundarbans, experience the chaos of Los Angeles, and vividly picture the sinking beauty of Venice. It felt as though I had traveled alongside him, experiencing every sight, sound, and emotion firsthand. Similarly, while reading The Only Story by Julian Barnes, I found myself traveling through Paul Roberts’ memories, moving with him to the places he visited and feeling his emotions.

I have experienced this same magic with so many other books. While reading Pride and Prejudice, I felt as though I was in the grand estates of England, overhearing the witty exchanges between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Literature has given me the privilege of stepping into different cultures, exploring various time periods, and understanding the minds of people I could never meet in real life. Through literature, I can also experience the struggles people face, gaining insight into issues that go beyond my personal experiences.

That's the thing about books. 

They let you travel without moving your feet. 

Jhumpa Lahiri 

Beyond just travel and exploration, literature has profoundly shaped the way I think and feel. It has given me a deeper sense of empathy as I have lived the lives of countless characters, felt their struggles, and understood their emotions. It has also helped me refine my thoughts and express them more clearly. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I find solace in writing whether it's a poem, a shayari, or a short story. Though I am still learning how to structure stories, shape narratives, and build worlds with words, I am beginning to understand the process and enjoy the journey of creative expression.

Just as Doraemon’s Anywhere Door is a tool that allows Nobita to escape or reach his destination instantly, literature serves as a powerful tool for exploration, understanding, and self-expression. Whether one reads or writes, literature has the ability to transport the mind beyond physical boundaries, allowing a person to experience different places, times, emotions, and perspectives. As I continue to engage with literature, both as a reader and a budding writer, I hope to one day create stories that resonate deeply with others. Perhaps my words will become an Anywhere Door for someone else, taking them to places they’ve never been and helping them feel things they never expected.