Exciting life Quote by Guy Davenport
““I God, a very Gomorry on wheels! You lead the most exciting life I know of, and complain more about it than any two well-off bastards in the running. I am glad to hear you sound like your old self, though I never hearn of no Jonathan with two Davids. Top of this letter is an allusion to that wonderful novel, The SotWeed Factor , in which Ebenezer Cooke, “poet and virgin,” is about to be raped by a buncher sailors (they have him tied across a table in the fo’c’sle; he is saved by a raiding party of pirates, one of whom strides into the scene and says, “I God, this here ship’s a very floatin’ Gomorry!” Have come down with the flu since inditing the above. [...]. The mail yestiddy brought a letter from Sam Beckett! asked to see Sappho and Arky. I sag with fatigue. Blessings. Guy””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Private correspondence, 1970s, unknown recipient
The writer humorously mixes literary allusion with personal fatigue, reflecting on chaotic life and creative struggle
In simple terms: A chaotic, literary‑filled letter expressing exhaustion and humor
Key Takeaway
Embrace humor amid creative overload
Themes
literary allusion
humor
fatigue
creativity
Mood
tired
playful
reflective
Type
personal
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- writing marathon
- illness recovery
- literary discussion
- personal correspondence
Key Concepts
intertextuality
absurdity
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor help you cope with creative fatigue?
- What role do literary allusions play in personal expression?
A Different Perspective
The dense references may alienate readers unfamiliar with the source material
![“And I may not omit here a special work of God's providence. There was a proud and very profane young man [aboard the Mayflower], one of the seamen, of a lusty, able body, which made him the more haughty; he would always be contemning the poor people in their [sea]sickness, and cursing them daily…” quote by William Bradford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/741/william-bradford-32082_poor-people_and-i-may-not-omit-here-a-special-work-o_662474.jpg)
