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... you trip and lance Your finger at a crab. It strikes…

“... you trip and lance Your finger at a crab. It strikes. You rub It inch-meal to a bilge of shell. You dance Child-crazy over tub and gunnel, grasping Your pitchfork like a trident, poised to stab The greasy eel-grass clasping and unclasping The jellied iridescence of the crab.” quote by Robert Lowell
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““... you trip and lance Your finger at a crab. It strikes. You rub It inch-meal to a bilge of shell. You dance Child-crazy over tub and gunnel, grasping Your pitchfork like a trident, poised to stab The greasy eel-grass clasping and unclasping The jellied iridescence of the crab.””

Robert Lowell

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 uses vivid, chaotic imagery of a crab encounter to convey frustration and the absurdity of conflict.

In simple terms: A crab fight shows how small conflicts can feel overwhelming.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the absurdity in petty struggles.

Themes

conflict absurdity frustration nature

Mood

irritated intense

Type

poetic observational

When to use this quote

  • personal arguments
  • workplace disputes
  • traffic jams
  • sports competitions

Key Concepts

metaphor sensory detail chaos

Questions to Reflect On

  • When do you let minor irritations dominate?
  • How can you transform frustration into calm action?
A Different Perspective

It may romanticize conflict, ignoring constructive resolution.

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