Trexler knew what he wanted, and what, in general, all men…
““Trexler knew what he wanted, and what, in general, all men wanted; and he was glad, in a way, that it was both inexpressible and unattainable, and that it wasn't a wing. He was satisfied to remember that it was deep, formless, enduring and impossible of fulfillment, and that it made men sick, and that when you sauntered along Third Avenue and looked through the doorways into the dim saloons, you could sometimes pick out from the unregenerate ranks the ones who had not forgotten, gazing steadily into the bottoms of their glasses on the long chance that they could get another little peek at it. Trexler found himself renewed by the remembrance that what he wanted was at once great and microscopic, and that although it borrowed from the nature of large deeds and of youthful love and of old songs and early intimations, it was not any one of these things, and that it had not been isolated or pinned down, and that a man who attempted to define it in the privacy of a doctor's office would fall flat on his face.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Trexler longs for an indescribable, unattainable desire that is both grand and minute, reflecting humanity’s restless pursuit of meaning beyond concrete goals.
In simple terms: He craves an impossible, deep yearning that cannot be defined.
Key Takeaway
Accept that some aspirations remain forever elusive.
Themes
desire
existential longing
human nature
unattainable goals
search for meaning
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
hopeful
Type
literary
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- artistic inspiration
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- philosophical discussion
- psychotherapy
Key Concepts
philosophical
psychological
literary
abstract yearning
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this unfulfilled longing reveal about your true values?
- How can you honor an impossible desire without letting it dominate?
A Different Perspective
The yearning may distract from practical responsibilities.