---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've found a different way to scent the…"
description: "\"I've found a different way to scent the air: already it's a by-word for despair.\" — Andrew Motion"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/446/andrew-motion-12897_air_i-ve-found-a-different-way-to-scent-the_813897.png"
---

#  I've found a different way to scent the air: already it's…

![“I've found a different way to scent the air: already it's a by-word for despair.” quote by Andrew Motion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/446/andrew-motion-12897_air_i-ve-found-a-different-way-to-scent-the_813897.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/446/andrew-motion-12897_air_i-ve-found-a-different-way-to-scent-the_813897.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/446/andrew-motion-12897_air_i-ve-found-a-different-way-to-scent-the_813897.png)

> “I've found a different way to scent the air: already it's a by-word for despair.”

[Andrew Motion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-motion/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker describes scent as a metaphor for despair, suggesting that even the air feels heavy with hopelessness.

**In simple terms:** Air feels like despair.

Key Takeaway

Recognize metaphorical language for emotional states.

Themes

despair metaphor perception

Mood

melancholic contemplative

Type

literary poetic

When to use this quote

- personal reflection
- creative writing
- mental health awareness

Key Concepts

existentialism symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

- How does scent influence mood?
- Can metaphor replace direct expression?

A Different Perspective

The metaphor may overgeneralize complex emotions.

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[Air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/air/) [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-way/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Scent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scent/) [Scent Air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scent-air-269003/) [Smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Scent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-scent-292889/) [Word Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-despair-292888/)

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