Eyes wide open Quote by H.G. Wells
““Eight-and-twenty years,' said I, 'I have lived, and never a ghost have I seen as yet.' The old woman sat staring hard into the fire, her pale eyes wide open. 'Ay,' she broke in; 'and eight-and-twenty years you have lived and never seen the likes of this house, I reckon. There's a many things to see, when one's still but eight-and-twenty.' She swayed her head slowly from side to side. 'A many things to see and sorrow for.' ("The Red Room")””
About This Quote
The speaker reflects on a lifetime of experience without encountering the supernatural, while an elder hints at unseen depths and sorrow that only age reveals.
In simple terms: Age reveals hidden sorrows and unseen realms.
Key Takeaway
Youth blinds to deeper mysteries.
Themes
age
perception
mystery
sorrow
wisdom
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
mysterious
Type
narrative
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- reflecting on life
- listening to elders
- confronting the unknown
- realizing hidden grief
- recognizing limits of perception
Key Concepts
time
experience
supernatural
generational insight
Practical Applications
- literary analysis
- psychological counseling
- philosophical teaching
Questions to Reflect On
- What does age enable us to see that youth cannot?
- How might unseen sorrows shape a person's worldview?
![“The thing [Henry James'] novel is about is always there. It is like a church lit but without a congregation to distract you, with every light and line focused on the high altar. And on the altar, very reverently placed, intensely there, is a dead kitten, an egg-shell, a bit of string.” quote by H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19f/h-g-wells-2-1299_books_the-thing-henry-james-novel-is-about-is_138893.jpg)
