So successfully have we disguised from ourselves the…
““So successfully have we disguised from ourselves the intensity of our own feelings, the sensibility of our own hearts, that plays in the tragic tradition have begun to seem untrue. For a couple of hours we may surrender ourselves to a world of fiercely illuminated values in conflict, but when the stage is covered and the auditorium lighted, almost immediately there is a recoil of disbelief. "Well, well!" we say as we shuffle back up the aisle, while the play dwindles behind us with the sudden perspective of an early Chirico painting. By the time we have arrived at Sardi's, if not as soon as we pass beneath the marquee, we have convinced ourselves once more that life has as little resemblance to the curiously stirring and meaningful occurrences on the stage as a jingle has to an elegy of Rilke.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
We hide our true emotions, treating dramatic experiences as unreal, then quickly dismiss them as life returns to normal.
In simple terms: We pretend feelings are only for theater, not real life.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and honor genuine emotions beyond performance.
Themes
authenticity
illusion
emotion
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- theater attendance
- personal reflection
- post‑show conversations
- art critique
Key Concepts
existentialism
dramatic irony
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between theatrical drama and personal truth?
- Can you sustain emotional honesty after a performance?
A Different Perspective
Emotions may resurface later, challenging the dismissal.