[...] but they and I had fallen apart, as one could in…
![“[...] but they and I had fallen apart, as one could in England and only there, into separate worlds, little spinning planets of personal relationship; there is probably a perfect metaphor for the process to be found in physics, from the way in which, I dimly apprehend, particles of energy group…” quote by Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/1c3/evelyn-waugh-850_metaphor_but-they-and-i-had-fallen-apart-as-one-c_3005795.png)
““[...] but they and I had fallen apart, as one could in England and only there, into separate worlds, little spinning planets of personal relationship; there is probably a perfect metaphor for the process to be found in physics, from the way in which, I dimly apprehend, particles of energy group and regroup themselves in separate magnetic systems; a metaphor ready to hand for the man who can speak of these things with assurance; not for me, who can only say that England abounded in these small companies of intimate friends, so that, as in this case of Julia and myself, we could live in the same street in London, see at times, a few miles distant, the rural horizon, could have a liking one for the other, a mild curiosity about the other's fortunes, a regret, even, that we should be separated, and the knowledge that either of us had only to pick up the telephone and speak by the other's pillow, enjoy the intimacies of the levee, coming in, as it were, with the morning orange juice and the sun, yet be restrained from doing so by the centripetal force of our own worlds, and the cold, interstellar space between them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Physical distance creates emotional distance; friendships are like magnetic particles that attract and repel, shaped by personal worlds.
In simple terms: Distance strains friendships.
Key Takeaway
Maintain connection despite distance.
Themes
friendship
distance
physics metaphor
loneliness
Mood
nostalgic
reflective
intimate
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- long‑distance relationships
- expat communities
- online communication
- family reunions
Key Concepts
relational dynamics
magnetism
social physics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you bridge emotional gaps?
- What forces keep you close to loved ones?
A Different Perspective
Metaphor may oversimplify complex human bonds.