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Attitude Quote by Isak Dinesen

“The flamingoes are the most delicately colored of all the African birds, pink and red like a flying twig of an oleander bush. They have incredibly long legs and bizarre and recherché curves of their necks and bodies, as if from some exquisite traditional prudery they were making all attitudes and…” quote by Isak Dinesen
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“The flamingoes are the most delicately colored of all the African birds, pink and red like a flying twig of an oleander bush. They have incredibly long legs and bizarre and recherché curves of their necks and bodies, as if from some exquisite traditional prudery they were making all attitudes and movements in life as difficult as possible.”

Isak Dinesen

About This Quote

Source Book: Seven Gothic Tales by Isak Dinesen, 1934

The passage marvels at the flamboyant, intricate beauty of flamingoes, highlighting their vivid colors and elegant, exaggerated forms as symbols of refined, almost pretentious grace.

In simple terms: Flamingoes are strikingly beautiful and deliberately graceful.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate the elegance in nature’s design.

Themes

beauty nature elegance pretension artistry

Mood

aesthetic contemplative

Type

descriptive literary

When to use this quote

  • birdwatching
  • art inspiration
  • fashion design
  • poetry
  • photography

Key Concepts

Aesthetics symbolism natural design

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does exaggeration affect our perception of nature?
  • What does the bird’s “prude” pose say about human vanity?
A Different Perspective

The description may over‑romanticize, ignoring ecological realities.

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