Books Quote by Graham Greene
““He had opened the book at random several times, seeking a sortes Virgilianae, before he chose the sentences on which his code was to be based. 'You say: I am not free. But I have lifted my hand and let it fall.' It was as if in choosing that passage, he were transmitting a signal of defiance to both the services. The last word of the message, when it was decoded by Boris or another, would read 'goodbye.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The End of the Affair, 1951
A character seeks random passages for guidance, then chooses a line that signals defiance, ending with a farewell encoded message.
In simple terms: He uses a random quote to convey rebellion and a final goodbye.
Key Takeaway
Choose words that reflect your true intent.
Themes
defiance
communication
literature
Mood
defiant
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- secret messages
- literary analysis
- personal rebellion
Key Concepts
random selection
encoding
signal transmission
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the chosen passage reveal about his mindset?
- How does randomness affect meaning?
A Different Perspective
The message may be misinterpreted without context.
