Dance Quote by Katherine Anne Porter
““Strolling, keeping step, his stout polished well-made boots setting themselves down firmly beside her thin-soled black suede, they put off as long as they could the end of their moment together, and kept up as well as they could their small talk that flew back and forth over little grooves worn in the thin upper suface of the brain, things you could say and hear clink reassuringly at once without disturbing the radiance which played and darted about the simple and lovely miracle of being two persons named Adam and Miranda, twenty-four years old each, alive and on earth at the same moment: 'Are you in the mood for dancing, Miranda?' and 'I'm always in the mood for dancing, Adam!' but there were things in the way, the day that ended with dancing was a long way to go.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Jilting of Adam and Miranda” by Katherine Anne Porter, 1930s
A brief, intimate moment between two young lovers is stretched by hesitation and external obstacles, highlighting the tension between desire and reality.
In simple terms: Lovers try to savor a fleeting connection despite looming challenges.
Key Takeaway
Cherish present intimacy while acknowledging future hurdles.
Themes
love
intimacy
hesitation
time
youth
Mood
hopeful
reflective
romantic
Type
literary
conversational
romantic
When to use this quote
- first date
- dance invitation
- relationship building
- overcoming obstacles
Key Concepts
romantic longing
temporal tension
human connection
Questions to Reflect On
- What small gestures can deepen connection now?
- How do you balance present joy with future uncertainties?
A Different Perspective
The narrative idealizes the moment, possibly overlooking deeper incompatibilities.
![“[while dancing] The man who was supposed to be her new partner had taken the caller’s final instruction to extremes. From the way Adam’s mouth was locked against Kitty’s he seemed to be anticipating not a temporary split but a lengthy separation. More of a French Fancy than a farmer’s fancy…” quote by Christine Stovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9e1/christine-stovell-42072_contemporary-romance_while-dancing-the-man-who-was-supposed-t_3065947.jpg)
