Out from the servient shoulders of some smooth-tongued…
““Out from the servient shoulders of some smooth-tongued Waiter it stares, into the scared dilating pupils of the White Satin Bride with her pledged hand clutching her Bridegroom's sleeve. Up from the gravelly, pick-and-shovel labor of the new-made grave it lifts its weirdly magnetic eyes to the Widow's tears. Down from some petted Princeling's silver-trimmed saddle horse it smiles its electrifying, wistful smile into the Peasant's sodden weariness. Across the slender white rail of an always out-going steamer it stings back into your gray, land-locked consciousness like the tang of a scarlet spray. And the secret of the face, of course, is "Lure"; but to save your soul you could not decide in any specific case whether the lure is the lure of personality, or the lure of physiognomy—a mere accidental, coincidental, haphazard harmony of forehead and cheek-bone and twittering facial muscles.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage describes a mysterious, alluring presence that can be interpreted as either personality or physical appearance, highlighting how attraction can be ambiguous and multifaceted.
In simple terms: Attraction can be based on character or looks, and it’s often unclear which.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that both inner qualities and outward appearance influence desire.
Themes
attraction
identity
perception
ambiguity
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- dating
- first impressions
- art criticism
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
aesthetics
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of a person draw you in more?
- Can you separate personality from appearance in your judgments?
A Different Perspective
The description is highly poetic, making concrete conclusions difficult.