Children Quote by James Joyce
““He was sitting in the midst of a children's party at Harold's Cross. His silent watchful manner had grown upon him and he took little part in the games. The children, wearing the spoils of their crackers, danced and romped noisily and, though he tried to share their merriment, he felt himself a gloomy figure amid the gay cocked hats and sunbonnets. But when he had sung his song and withdrawn into a snug corner of the room he began to taste the joy of his loneliness. The mirth, which in the beginning of the evening had seemed to him false and trivial, was like a sothing air to him, passing gaily by his senses, hiding from other eyes the feverish agitation of his blood while through the circling of the dancers and amid the music and laughter her glance travelled to his corner, flattering, taunting, searching, exciting his heart.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1916
A solitary observer at a lively gathering feels both alienated and secretly nourished by the surrounding joy.
In simple terms: He feels lonely yet secretly enjoys the party.
Key Takeaway
Embrace solitude while appreciating communal joy.
Themes
loneliness
observation
inner life
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- public events
- personal reflection
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existentialism
social alienation
Questions to Reflect On
- When does solitude become harmful?
- How can you balance personal space with social involvement?
A Different Perspective
The narrative may romanticize loneliness, overlooking its pain.
