Athens Quote by Evelyn Waugh
“Of the many smells of Athens two seem to me the most characteristic - that of garlic, bold and deadly like acetylene gas. and that of dust, soft and warm and caressing like tweed.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Decline and Fall, 1928
The quote contrasts two vivid sensory images of Athens, using garlic and dust as metaphors for the city's intense, contrasting character.
In simple terms: Athens feels both sharp and comforting.
Key Takeaway
Notice how environments shape perception.
Themes
cityscape
sensory
metaphor
Mood
reflective
poetic
Type
descriptive
literary
When to use this quote
- travel writing
- personal reflection
- urban exploration
Key Concepts
contrasts
character
atmosphere
Questions to Reflect On
- How do scents influence your view of a place?
- What other contrasts define a city for you?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify a complex city.
![“The Good Quality Snob, or wearer of muted tweeds, cut almost exactly the same from year to year, often with a hat of the same material, [is] native to the Boston North Shore, the Chicago North Shore, the North Shore of Long Island, to Westchester County, the Philadelphia Main Line and the…” quote by Russell Lynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6a1/russell-lynes-14222_areas_the-good-quality-snob-or-wearer-of-muted_955839.jpg)
![“[On John Tunnard:] One day a marvelous man in a highly elaborate tweed coat walked into the gallery. He looked a little like Groucho Marx. He was as animated as a jazz-band leader, which he turned out to be. He showed us his gouaches, which were as musical as Kandinsky's, as delicate as Klee's…” quote by Peggy Guggenheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/525/peggy-guggenheim-27198_animated_on-john-tunnard-one-day-a-marvelous-man_158228.jpg)
