Arrangements Quote by John Banville
“I have never really got used to being on this earth. Sometimes I think our presence here is due to a cosmic blunder, that we were meant for another planet altogether, with other arrangements, and other laws, and other, grimmer skies. I try to imagine it, our true place, off on the far side of the galaxy, whirling and whirling. And the ones who were meant for here, are they out there, baffled and homesick, like us? No, they would have become extinct long ago. How could they survive, these gentle earthlings, in a world that was made to contain us.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Evidence by John Banville, 1979
The speaker feels alienated on Earth, imagining humanity as misplaced and yearning for a different world.
In simple terms: Feeling out of place on Earth.
Key Takeaway
Consider how you find belonging.
Themes
alienation
existential
longing
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
existential
literary
When to use this quote
- space exploration
- philosophical reflection
- creative writing
- personal introspection
- environmental awareness
Key Concepts
cosmic misplacement
identity crisis
Questions to Reflect On
- What would a different world look like for you?
- How can we cultivate belonging where we feel alienated?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook humanity's capacity to adapt and create meaning.
