Children Quote by John Updike
““Saying Goodbye to Very Young Children" They will not be the same next time. The sayings so cute, just slightly off, will be corrected. Their eyes will be more skeptical, plugged in the more securely to the worldly buzz of television, alphabet, and street talk, culture polluting their gazes' dawn blue. It makes you see at last the value of those boring aunts and neighbors (their smells of summer sweat and cigarettes, their faces like shapes of sky between shade-giving leaves) who knew you from the start, when you were zero, cooing their nothings before you could be bored or knew a name, not even you own, or how this world brave with hellos turns all goodbye.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Saying Goodbye to Very Young Children” by John Updike, 1970s
The passage reflects on how children’s perception changes as they grow, making us appreciate the simple, unpretentious people who knew us before we were shaped by society.
In simple terms: Children change, so we value early, honest relationships.
Key Takeaway
Cherish simple connections before they’re altered.
Themes
growth
nostalgia
relationships
societal influence
memory
Mood
reflective
bittersweet
nostalgic
Type
literary
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parenting
- family gatherings
- community events
- reflective writing
Key Concepts
developmental psychology
socialization
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do early relationships shape adult identity?
- What can we learn from the simplicity of early connections?
A Different Perspective
The view may romanticize childhood and overlook negative aspects of early influences.
