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He gave me a look of great contempt; as I supposed, for…

“He gave me a look of great contempt; as I supposed, for venturing, even by implication, to draw a parallel between a lack of affluence that might, literally, affect my purchase of rare vintages, and a figure of speech intended delicately to convey his own dire want for the bare necessities of…” quote by Anthony Powell
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““He gave me a look of great contempt; as I supposed, for venturing, even by implication, to draw a parallel between a lack of affluence that might, literally, affect my purchase of rare vintages, and a figure of speech intended delicately to convey his own dire want for the bare necessities of life. He remained silent for several seconds, as if trying to make up his mind whether he could ever bring himself to speak to me again; and then said gruffly: 'I've got to go now.””

Anthony Powell

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A contemptuous look highlights class tension, while a brief, terse departure underscores social distance and personal urgency.

In simple terms: A look of contempt shows class tension; a quick exit shows urgency and distance.

Key Takeaway

Observe how subtle cues reveal deeper social divides.

Themes

class communication urgency

Mood

reflective critical

Type

literary social

When to use this quote

  • social gatherings
  • business meetings
  • family gatherings
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

social hierarchy personal interaction literary dialogue

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does contempt reveal about power?
  • How does a brief goodbye affect relationships?
A Different Perspective

Interpretation may vary across cultural contexts.

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