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Tourists Quote by Emily Maguire

“These were the parts of Strathdee the tourists never saw, lined with red-brick and fibro rentals with squat steel fences out front. It was a few minutes before ten on a breezy, sunny Wednesday and most of the front yards we passed were occupied: I exchanged glances with a chain-smoking teenager…” quote by Emily Maguire
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““These were the parts of Strathdee the tourists never saw, lined with red-brick and fibro rentals with squat steel fences out front. It was a few minutes before ten on a breezy, sunny Wednesday and most of the front yards we passed were occupied: I exchanged glances with a chain-smoking teenager half watching two toddlers beating each other with plastic tools, a pair of ancient Italian immigrants in wife-beaters and dress pants staring blankly at the road, and a middle-aged woman in track pants and thongs watering weeds.””

Emily Maguire

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway, 2008

A vivid snapshot of a diverse, everyday street scene reveals hidden stories behind ordinary people.

In simple terms: Every person has an unseen story in daily life.

Key Takeaway

Notice the humanity in strangers.

Themes

observation diversity urban life

Mood

curious reflective

Type

descriptive observational

When to use this quote

  • walking through a city
  • writing character sketches
  • teaching cultural awareness

Key Concepts

Sociology human experience visual detail

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does this scene tell you about community?
  • How can you see beyond appearances?
A Different Perspective

May overlook deeper narratives beyond surface details.

4.4 out of 5 (7 ratings)

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