Absurdity Quote by Joseph Conrad
“It seems to me I am trying to tell you a dream--making a vain attempt, because no relation of a dream can convey the dream-sensation, that commingling of absurdity, surprise, and bewilderment in a tremor of struggling revolt, that notion of being captured by the incredible which is of the very essence of dreams...No, it is impossible; it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one's existence--that which makes its truth, its meaning--its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream-alone...”
About This Quote
Dreams are ineffable; their essence—absurdity, surprise, bewilderment—cannot be fully expressed in language.
In simple terms: Dreams can’t be fully described.
Key Takeaway
Accept the limits of language about dreams.
Themes
dreams
communication
limits
Mood
mysterious
thoughtful
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- artistic creation
- psychotherapy
- personal storytelling
Key Concepts
existentialism
phenomenology
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you capture a dream’s feeling without words?
- How do you convey the surreal?
A Different Perspective
Dreams may still be shared through metaphor.
