---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is love, she thought, isn't it? When…"
description: "\"This is love, she thought, isn't it? When you notice someone's absence and hate that absence more than anything? More, even, than you love his presence..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/jonathan-safran-foer-136_absence_this-is-love-she-thought-isn-t-it-when-y_3072375.png"
---

#  This is love, she thought, isn't it? When you notice…

![“This is love, she thought, isn't it? When you notice someone's absence and hate that absence more than anything? More, even, than you love his presence?” quote by Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/jonathan-safran-foer-136_absence_this-is-love-she-thought-isn-t-it-when-y_3072375.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/jonathan-safran-foer-136_absence_this-is-love-she-thought-isn-t-it-when-y_3072375.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f73/jonathan-safran-foer-136_absence_this-is-love-she-thought-isn-t-it-when-y_3072375.png)

> “This is love, she thought, isn't it? When you notice someone's absence and hate that absence more than anything? More, even, than you love his presence?”

[Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Explores the paradox of love and loss, where absence can feel more painful than presence.

**In simple terms:** Missing someone can hurt more than being with them.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and process complex emotions of love and loss.

Themes

love loss absence paradox

Mood

melancholic thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- grief counseling
- relationship introspection
- literary analysis

Key Concepts

psychology of attachment emotional conflict

Questions to Reflect On

- What does absence teach you about love?
- How do you balance love for presence and absence?

A Different Perspective

The statement may idealize suffering, overlooking resilience.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Absence Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence-hate-5203696/) [Absence love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence-love/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Presence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-presence-863534/) [Love Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-thought-307650/)

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