--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Yes, you have been away a very long…" description: "\"Yes, you have been away a very long time.' 'Oh, centuries and centuries; so long,' she said, 'that I'm sure I'm dead and buried and this dear old place..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/edith-wharton-512_buried_yes-you-have-been-away-a-very-long-time_2193772.png" --- # Yes, you have been away a very long time.' 'Oh, centuries… ![“Yes, you have been away a very long time.' 'Oh, centuries and centuries; so long,' she said, 'that I'm sure I'm dead and buried and this dear old place is heaven.” quote by Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/edith-wharton-512_buried_yes-you-have-been-away-a-very-long-time_2193772.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/edith-wharton-512_buried_yes-you-have-been-away-a-very-long-time_2193772.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/091/edith-wharton-512_buried_yes-you-have-been-away-a-very-long-time_2193772.png) > “Yes, you have been away a very long time.' 'Oh, centuries and centuries; so long,' she said, 'that I'm sure I'm dead and buried and this dear old place is heaven.” [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A timeless conversation reflects on mortality, the passage of time, and the feeling of being forgotten. **In simple terms:** She feels ancient and wonders if she is dead. Key Takeaway Contemplate impermanence and cherish the present. Themes mortality time memory loneliness Mood melancholic contemplative Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - elderly reflection - historical fiction - philosophical dialogue Key Concepts existential reflection historical perspective psychology Questions to Reflect On - What does “heaven” symbolize here? - How does time shape identity? A Different Perspective The tone may be overly melancholic for some readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Away Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/away-long-536346/) [Buried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buried/) [Buried Dear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buried-dear-4788980/) [Centuries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centuries/) [Centuries Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centuries-long-2250511/) [Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century/) [Dear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dear/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [How much does a man live, after all?/ Does he live a thousand days, or one only? 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