--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think perhaps Liza accepted the world…" description: "\"“I think perhaps Liza accepted the world as she accepted the Bible, with all of its paradoxes and its reverses. She did not like death but she knew it ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/john-steinbeck-71_bible_i-think-perhaps-liza-accepted-the-world_1274326.jpg" --- # I think perhaps Liza accepted the world as she accepted… ![“I think perhaps Liza accepted the world as she accepted the Bible, with all of its paradoxes and its reverses. She did not like death but she knew it existed, and when it came it did not surprise her. Samuel may have thought and played and philosophized about death, hut he did not really believe…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/john-steinbeck-71_bible_i-think-perhaps-liza-accepted-the-world_1274326.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/john-steinbeck-71_bible_i-think-perhaps-liza-accepted-the-world_1274326.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/john-steinbeck-71_bible_i-think-perhaps-liza-accepted-the-world_1274326.jpg) > ““I think perhaps Liza accepted the world as she accepted the Bible, with all of its paradoxes and its reverses. She did not like death but she knew it existed, and when it came it did not surprise her. Samuel may have thought and played and philosophized about death, hut he did not really believe in it. His world did not have death as a member. He, and all around him, was immortal. When real death came it was an outrage, a denial of the immortality he deeply felt, and the one crack in his wall caused the whole structure to crash. I think he had always thought he could argue himself out of death. It was a personal opponent and one he could lick. To Liza it was simply death—the thing promised and expected. She could go on and in her sorrow put a pot of beans in the oven, bake six pies, and plan to exactness how much food would be necessary properly to feed the funeral guests. And she could in her sorrow see that Samuel had a clean white shirt and that his black broadcloth was brushed and free of spots and his shoes blacked. Perhaps it takes these two kinds to make a good marriage, riveted with several kinds of strengths.”” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage contrasts two attitudes toward death: one accepting it as inevitable, the other denying its reality, leading to personal crisis when death occurs. **In simple terms:** One accepts death, the other denies it, causing conflict. Key Takeaway Recognize and reconcile differing views on mortality. Themes mortality marriage psychology conflict acceptance Mood reflective somber thoughtful Type literary philosophical psychological When to use this quote - marriage counseling - bereavement support - philosophical discussion - literary analysis - personal reflection Key Concepts existentialism grief relationship dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do personal beliefs about death shape relationships? - Can opposing views on mortality strengthen a partnership? A Different Perspective Denial of death can blind individuals to reality, causing greater pain when it arrives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Denial Immortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/denial-immortality-4096777/) [Liza Accepted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liza-accepted-4096779/) [Philosophized Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophized-death-4096775/) [Samuel Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/samuel-thought-4096776/) [Think Liza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-liza-4096778/) ## Related quotes > [“Samuel may have thought and played and philosophized about death, hut he did not really believe in it. 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It was a personal opponent and one he could lick. To Liza it was simply death—the thing promised and expected. She could go on and in her sorrow put a pot of beans in the oven, bake six pies, and plan to exactness how much food would be necessary properly to feed the funeral guests. And she could in her sorrow see that Samuel had a clean white shirt and that his black broadcloth was brushed and free of spots and his shoes blacked. 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