Smell Quote by Alice Munro
““He could no more describe the feeling he got from her than you can describe a smell. It's like the scorch of electricity. It's like burnt kernels of wheat. No, it's like a bitter orange. I give up.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Bear Came Over the Mountain” by Alice Munro, 1999
Describes an indescribable, intense emotional experience using vivid, sensory metaphors.
In simple terms: Hard to put feelings into words.
Key Takeaway
Accept that some emotions resist precise description.
Themes
emotion
language
metaphor
Mood
creative
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
subjective experience
literary expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you convey deep emotions without clichés?
- When is metaphor more effective than literal description?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize ineffable feelings.
