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The panes streamed with rain, and the short street he…

“The panes streamed with rain, and the short street he looked down into lay wet and empty, as if swept clear suddenly by a great flood. It was a very trying day, choked in raw fog to begin with, and now drowned in cold rain. The flickering, blurred flames of gas-lamps seemed to be dissolving in a…” quote by Joseph Conrad
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““The panes streamed with rain, and the short street he looked down into lay wet and empty, as if swept clear suddenly by a great flood. It was a very trying day, choked in raw fog to begin with, and now drowned in cold rain. The flickering, blurred flames of gas-lamps seemed to be dissolving in a watery atmosphere. And the lofty pretensions of a mankind oppressed by the miserable indignities of the weather appeared as a colossal and hopeless vanity deserving of scorn, wonder, and compassion.””

Joseph Conrad

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 depicts a bleak, rain‑soaked city that magnifies human suffering and the futility of pretensions, urging empathy and humility.

In simple terms: Rainy city shows human vanity and suffering.

Key Takeaway

Recognize humility in harsh conditions.

Themes

suffering vanity humility empathy

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

literary descriptive philosophical

When to use this quote

  • walking in rain
  • observing city life
  • reflecting on personal ambition
  • writing atmospheric scenes

Key Concepts

existentialism urban alienation nature's indifference

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does weather shape our perception of self?
  • Can we find hope amid oppressive environments?
A Different Perspective

The vivid description may romanticize misery, overlooking resilience.

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