Air Quote by James Joyce
“What birds were they? (...) He listened to the cries: like the squeak of mice be- hind the wainscot : a shrill twofold note. But the notes were long and shrill and whirring, unlike the cry of vermin, falling a third or a fourth and trilled as the flying beaks clove the air. Their cry was shrill and clear and fine and falling like threads of silken light unwound from whirring spools.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Ulysses, 1922
The birds’ cry is a complex, layered sound unlike any simple animal noise.
In simple terms: Birds sing in intricate, unique ways.
Key Takeaway
Listen for hidden complexity.
Themes
nature
sound
complexity
perception
Mood
melancholic
intricate
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- birdwatching
- music composition
- poetry
Key Concepts
aesthetic appreciation
sensory analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions does this description evoke?
- How does layered sound affect mood?
A Different Perspective
Interpretation may be subjective.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)