Cities Quote by Joan Didion
“...quite simply, I was in love with New York. I do not mean “love” in any colloquial way, I mean that I was in love with the city, the way you love the first person who ever touches you and you never love anyone quite that way again. I remember walking across Sixty-second Street one twilight that first spring, or the second spring, they were all alike for a while. I was late to meet someone but I stopped at Lexington Avenue and bought a peach and stood on the corner eating it and knew that I had come out out of the West and reached the mirage.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Slouching Towards Bethlehem, 1968
The writer describes an intense, singular affection for New York, comparing it to a first love that remains unmatched.
In simple terms: Deep love for a city like a first love.
Key Takeaway
Embrace moments that reveal profound connection.
Themes
love
place
memory
identity
cityscape
Mood
nostalgic
reflective
Type
personal
descriptive
When to use this quote
- first visit
- late night walk
- spontaneous snack
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Romanticism
urban attachment
nostalgia
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a city become a personal landmark?
- What moments make a place feel unforgettable?
A Different Perspective
Such intensity may fade with time or be idealized.
![“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)
