Faces Quote by James Joyce
““What did that mean, to kiss? You put your face up like that to say good night and then his mother put her face down. That was to kiss. His mother put her lips on his cheek; her lips were soft and they wetted his cheek; and they made a tiny little noise: kiss. Why did people do that with their two faces?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Ulysses by James Joyce, 1922
The passage reflects a child's bewildered curiosity about adult affection and social gestures, highlighting confusion over the meaning of a kiss.
In simple terms: A child wonders why people kiss and what it means.
Key Takeaway
Observe and ask questions about everyday actions.
Themes
curiosity
social rituals
childhood perception
Mood
confused
inquisitive
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- family interaction
- first romantic encounter
- cultural observation
- learning through observation
Key Concepts
psychology
communication
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we explain affection to children?
- What cultural meanings do kisses carry?
A Different Perspective
The child's perspective may oversimplify complex adult emotions.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
