The lives of men who have to live in our great cities are…
““The lives of men who have to live in our great cities are often tragically lonely. In many more ways than one, these dwellers in the hive are modern counterparts of Tantalus. They are starving to death in the midst of abundance. The crystal stream flows near their lips but always falls away when they try to drink of it. The vine, rich-weighted with its golden fruit, bends down, comes near, but springs back when they reach out to touch it...In other times, when painters tried to paint a scene of awful desolation, they chose the desert or a heath of barren rocks, and there would try to picture man in his great loneliness--the prophet in the desert, Elijah being fed by ravens on the rocks. But for a modern painter, the most desolate scene would have to be a street in almost any one of our great cities on a Sunday afternoon.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Describes urban isolation: despite abundance, city dwellers experience profound loneliness, likened to mythic Tantalus, with scarcity of true connection.
In simple terms: City life can feel empty despite material wealth.
Key Takeaway
Seek genuine connections beyond superficial abundance.
Themes
urban loneliness
abundance
mythic metaphor
modern alienation
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- city living
- mental health
- social networking
- community building
Key Concepts
sociology
existentialism
urban studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your environment shape your sense of isolation?
- What small actions can bridge urban loneliness?
A Different Perspective
Abundance can mask deeper needs, making connection harder.