Men and women Quote by Alice McDermott
““There wasn’t a tear to be seen on the faces of the men and women in the street as the two of them walked down to Schrafft’s. Only him, again, leaning by the door, suit jacket and fedora, the sunlight striking gold, the leg he had favored bent back and pressed against the building. He was smoking a cigarette. He was the handsomest man on the block. He was waiting for her. She felt Pauline beside her,””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Virgin Suicides, 1993
A scene shows a charismatic man waiting, juxtaposing ordinary street life with a moment of personal anticipation.
In simple terms: A man waits, creating tension.
Key Takeaway
Observe subtle narrative cues.
Themes
loneliness
anticipation
urban life
Mood
nostalgic
melancholic
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- street photography
- novel analysis
- writing workshops
- psychological profiling
Key Concepts
Character study
social observation
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions does the waiting evoke?
- How does setting influence mood?
A Different Perspective
The description may romanticize a fleeting encounter.
