Row Boat Quote by Arthur Machen
““Then he noticed a little row-boat at about two hundred yards from the shore. There were two or three people aboard, he could not quite make out how many, and they were no doubt fishing, and Merritt (who disliked fish) wondered how people could spoil such an afternoon, such a sea, such pellucid and radiant air by trying to catch white, flabby, offensive, evil-smelling creatures that would be excessively nasty when cooked.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: The White People, 1904
The narrator critiques fishing as a vulgar activity that spoils the natural beauty of sea and sky, reflecting a disdain for human intrusion.
In simple terms: Fishing is seen as a corrupting, wasteful act.
Key Takeaway
Respect nature’s purity over trivial pursuits.
Themes
environment
beauty
human impact
purity
disdain
Mood
contemplative
critical
melancholic
Type
philosophical
environmental
literary
When to use this quote
- coastal recreation
- environmental ethics
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
ecology
aesthetic philosophy
human‑nature relationship
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we label some natural activities as “vulgar”?
- Can enjoyment of nature coexist with responsible use?
A Different Perspective
The critique may overlook cultural and sustenance aspects of fishing.
