Air Quote by Adelbert von Chamisso
“This man, although he appeared so humble and embarrassed in his air and manners, and passed so unheeded, had inspired me with such a feeling of horror by the unearthly paleness of his countenance, from which I could not avert my eyes, that I was unable longer to endure it.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Peter Schlemihl, 1814
A strikingly pale face can evoke deep horror, reflecting the uncanny and unsettling.
In simple terms: A ghostly appearance can frighten us.
Key Takeaway
Notice how appearance can trigger strong emotions.
Themes
fear
the uncanny
appearance
Mood
eerie
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- encounter with a strange person
- reading gothic literature
Key Concepts
aesthetic horror
psychology of perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers your visceral fear?
- How do we manage unsettling visual stimuli?
A Different Perspective
The reaction may be personal and subjective.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)