France Quote by Louis-Ferdinand Céline
““Near the kiosk the old lady who sold refreshments seemed slowly to be gathering all the shadows of evening about her skirts.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Journey to the End of the Night, 1932
An elderly vendor appears to absorb the evening’s darkness, suggesting weariness and the passage of time
In simple terms: Old lady gathers evening shadows onto her skirts
Key Takeaway
Observe how daily routines can seem heavy at day’s end
Themes
age
loneliness
urban life
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
literary
metaphorical
When to use this quote
- street market
- evening walk
- character study
Key Concepts
shadow imagery
melancholy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “gathering shadows” symbolize for you?
- How do you feel about aging in public spaces?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize hardship, overlooking practical struggles
