Children Quote by John Cheever
““Ben and I walked by the Forum, which, with the green grass still growing among the stones, seems to be a double ruin: a ruin of antiquity and a monument to the tender sentiments of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century travelers, for we see not only the ghosts of Romans here but the shades of ladies with parasols and men with beards and little children rolling hoops.””
About This Quote
A vivid description of the Forum, blending ancient ruins with later travelers’ romantic imaginations.
In simple terms: The Forum appears as a layered ruin, echoing both Roman ghosts and 18th‑19th‑century visitors.
Key Takeaway
See history as a collage of perspectives.
Themes
history
travel
romanticism
Mood
melancholic
poetic
Type
descriptive
literary
When to use this quote
- tourism
- heritage preservation
- literary description
- urban archaeology
Key Concepts
ruins
cultural layering
nostalgia
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern visitors perceive the same site?
- What stories are missing from this view?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes past visitors, possibly overlooking less romantic aspects.
