Dreams Quote by Alice Munro
““ Row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. I lie in bed beside my little sister, listening to the singing in the yard. Life is transformed, by these voices, by these presences, by their high spirits and grand esteem, for themselves and each other. My parents, all of us, are on holiday. The mixture of voices and words is so complicated and varied it seems that such confusion, such jolly rivalry, will go on forever, and then to my surprise—for I am surprised, even though I know the pattern of rounds—the song is thinning out, you can hear the two voices striving. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. Then the one voice alone, one of them singing on, gamely, to the finish. One voice in which there is an unexpected note of entreaty, of warning, as it hangs the five separate words on the air. Life is . Wait. But a . Now, wait. Dream .””
About This Quote
Source Short story excerpt, The Beggar Maid, 1978
The narrative juxtaposes a simple, dream‑like song with complex, conflicting voices, illustrating how life’s reality is layered with both harmony and discord.
In simple terms: Life mixes simple dreams with complex realities.
Key Takeaway
Listen for underlying tensions beneath calm surfaces.
Themes
dreams
conflict
perception
family
voice
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
poetic
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- music therapy
Key Concepts
narrative layering
subjective reality
intergenerational dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden conflicts surface when we hear familiar songs?
- How does family presence shape our perception of reality?
A Different Perspective
The abstract, poetic style may obscure concrete meaning for some readers.
