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A hand of smoke took his hand, started him downward, if it…

“A hand of smoke took his hand, started him downward, if it was downward, showed him a centre, if it was a centre, put it in his stomach, where the vodka was softly making crystal bubbles, some sort of infinitely beautiful and desperate illusion which some time back he had called immortality.” quote by Julio Cortázar
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““A hand of smoke took his hand, started him downward, if it was downward, showed him a centre, if it was a centre, put it in his stomach, where the vodka was softly making crystal bubbles, some sort of infinitely beautiful and desperate illusion which some time back he had called immortality.””

Julio Cortázar

About This Quote

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

A smoky hand leads him down, showing a center that becomes a stomach where vodka creates crystal bubbles, an illusion of beautiful, desperate immortality.

In simple terms: A surreal journey through illusion and desire.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the fleeting nature of seductive visions.

Themes

illusion desire immortality addiction surrealism

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • addiction
  • artistic inspiration
  • spiritual searching

Key Concepts

existentialism psychology literature

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the “center” represent for you?
  • How do you differentiate reality from alluring illusion?
A Different Perspective

Illusion may mask harmful truths.

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