Skip to content

Crowd Quote by Don DeLillo

“...it occurred to me that perhaps in this city the crowd was essential to the individual; without it, he had nothing against which to scrape his anger, no echo for grief, and not the slightest proof that there were others more lonely than he. it was just a passing thought.” quote by Don DeLillo
Download Open image
““...it occurred to me that perhaps in this city the crowd was essential to the individual; without it, he had nothing against which to scrape his anger, no echo for grief, and not the slightest proof that there were others more lonely than he. it was just a passing thought.””

Don DeLillo

About This Quote

Source Novel: White Noise, 1985

The passage reflects on how crowds give individuals a sense of shared emotion and identity, preventing isolation and providing a mirror for personal feelings.

In simple terms: Crowds help us feel less alone.

Key Takeaway

Seek community to understand emotions.

Themes

isolation identity community empathy

Mood

contemplative melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • urban life
  • mental health support
  • public gatherings
  • artistic expression

Key Concepts

social psychology existentialism collective consciousness

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you feel more yourself in a crowd or alone?
  • How does shared sorrow affect personal grief?
A Different Perspective

Crowds can also amplify negative emotions.

4.0 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Don DeLillo

Explore all 699 Don DeLillo quotes

More Crowd quotes

Browse all 1,548 Crowd quotes