Aircraft Quote by Christopher Isherwood
“The landscape, like Los Angeles itself, is transitional. Impermanence haunts the city, with its mushroom industries--the aircraft perpetually becoming obsolete, the oil which must one day be exhausted, the movies which fill America's theatres for six months and are forgotten. Many of its houses--especially the grander ones--have a curiously disturbing atmosphere, a kind of psychological dankness which smells of anxiety, overdrafts, uneasy lust, whisky, divorce and lies.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Single Man, 1964
Portrays Los Angeles as a city of constant change, where industries and lifestyles become obsolete, creating an undercurrent of anxiety and moral decay.
In simple terms: The city feels ever‑changing and uneasy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize impermanence in urban life.
Themes
impermanence
urban decay
anxiety
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- city planning
- career shifts
- cultural trends
Key Concepts
sociology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of the city thrive despite change?
- How do individuals cope with impermanence?
A Different Perspective
The bleak view may overlook resilience and renewal.
