--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When he and Wally stopped laughing, Homer…" description: "\"“When he and Wally stopped laughing, Homer said, ‘I’ve never seen the ocean, you know.’ ‘Candy, did you hear that?’ Wally asked, but Candy had released..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-irving-337_humor_when-he-and-wally-stopped-laughing-homer_1084384.png" --- # When he and Wally stopped laughing, Homer said, ‘I’ve… ![“When he and Wally stopped laughing, Homer said, ‘I’ve never seen the ocean, you know.’ ‘Candy, did you hear that?’ Wally asked, but Candy had released herself with her brief laughter and she was sound asleep. ‘You’ve never seen the ocean?’ Wally asked Homer. ‘That’s right,’ said Homer Wells…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-irving-337_humor_when-he-and-wally-stopped-laughing-homer_1084384.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-irving-337_humor_when-he-and-wally-stopped-laughing-homer_1084384.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba5/john-irving-337_humor_when-he-and-wally-stopped-laughing-homer_1084384.png) > ““When he and Wally stopped laughing, Homer said, ‘I’ve never seen the ocean, you know.’ ‘Candy, did you hear that?’ Wally asked, but Candy had released herself with her brief laughter and she was sound asleep. ‘You’ve never seen the ocean?’ Wally asked Homer. ‘That’s right,’ said Homer Wells. ‘That’s not funny,’ said Wally seriously. ‘Right,’ Homer said. A little later, Wally said, ‘You want to drive for a while?’ ‘I don’t know how to drive,’ Homer said. ‘Really?’ Wally asked. And later still – it was almost midnight – Wally asked, ‘Uh, have you ever been with a girl – made love to one, you know?’ But Homer Wells had also felt released: he had laughed out loud with his new friends. The young but veteran insomniac had fallen asleep. Would Wally have been surprised to know that Homer hadn’t laughed out loud with friends before, either?”” [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character reflects on never experiences and the surprising depth of personal growth through friendships and intimacy. **In simple terms:** Reflecting on new experiences and personal change. Key Takeaway Embrace new connections and self‑discovery. Themes friendship growth loneliness self‑discovery Mood contemplative hopeful Type narrative philosophical When to use this quote - college life - night conversations - intimate confessions - self‑reflection Key Concepts identity emotional release intimacy Questions to Reflect On - How do friendships reshape our self‑view? - What does “never laughed out loud” reveal about past isolation? A Different Perspective The dialogue may oversimplify complex emotional states. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [New friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-friends/) ## Related quotes > [“When Homer Wells saw the stationmaster’s brain stem exposed, he felt that Dr. Larch was busy enough – with both hands – for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/when-homer-wells-saw-the-stationmaster-s-brain-stem-exposed-he-felt/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [“Again, Homer felt the nudge in his ribs, and Mr. Rose said, mildly, ‘You all so uneducated – Homer’s havin’ a little fun with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/again-homer-felt-the-nudge-in-his-ribs-and-mr-rose-said-mildly-you/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [“The professor pointed out how he could drop a keel and a propeller into the water, in case he came down at sea, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-r-brinley/the-professor-pointed-out-how-he-could-drop-a-keel-and-a-propeller/) Bertrand R. 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A little later, Wally said, ‘You want to drive for a while?’ ‘I don’t know how to drive,’ Homer said. ‘Really?’ Wally asked. And later still – it was almost midnight – Wally asked, ‘Uh, have you ever been with a girl – made love to one, you know?’ But Homer Wells had also felt released: he had laughed out loud with his new friends. The young but veteran insomniac had fallen asleep. 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