Away Quote by James Joyce
““APRIL 16. Away! Away! The spell of arms and voices: the white arms of roads, their promise of close embraces and the black arms of tall ships that stand against the moon, their tale of distant nations. They are held out to say: We are alone—come. And the voices say with them: We are your kinsmen. And the air is thick with their company as they call to me, their kinsman, making ready to go, shaking the wings of their exultant and terrible youth.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Ulysses, 1922, Chapter “Wandering”
A poetic vision of distant peoples and ships, inviting connection across isolation, blending awe and fear of the unknown.
In simple terms: Travel and strangers offer both wonder and danger.
Key Takeaway
Seek connection beyond familiar horizons.
Themes
exploration
loneliness
community
adventure
fear
hope
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
enigmatic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voyage
- immigration
- cultural exchange
- night journeys
Key Concepts
romanticism
human yearning
mythic symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “the arms of roads” symbolize for you?
- How do you balance curiosity with caution?
A Different Perspective
Idealized travel may ignore practical hardships and cultural clash.
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
