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And victory, joy, wild hope, and swelling certitude and…

“And victory, joy, wild hope, and swelling certitude and tenderness surged through the conduits of our blood as we heard that drunken cry, and triumph, glory, proud belief were resting like a chrysm around us as we heard that cry, and turned our eyes then to the moon-drunk skies of Boston, knowing…” quote by Thomas Wolfe
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““And victory, joy, wild hope, and swelling certitude and tenderness surged through the conduits of our blood as we heard that drunken cry, and triumph, glory, proud belief were resting like a chrysm around us as we heard that cry, and turned our eyes then to the moon-drunk skies of Boston, knowing only that we were young, and drunk, and twenty, and that the power of mighty poetry was within us, and the glory of the great earth lay before us—because we were young and drunk and twenty, and could never die!””

Thomas Wolfe

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 captures youthful exuberance, reckless optimism, and the belief that poetry and passion make one feel invincible.

In simple terms: Youth feels unstoppable when fueled by poetry and passion.

Key Takeaway

Embrace youthful passion while staying grounded.

Themes

youth optimism poetry recklessness invincibility

Mood

exuberant hopeful intense

Type

literary inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • college life
  • first love
  • political rallies
  • artistic creation
  • late-night gatherings

Key Concepts

Romanticism existential exuber heroic idealism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does it mean to feel “young, drunk, and twenty”?
  • How can passion be balanced with responsibility?
A Different Perspective

Such fervor can blind one to consequences and lead to reckless decisions.

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