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Bosom Quote by Marcel Proust

“...Swann had, as he shook the Marquise's hand, seen her bosom from close to and from above, he plunged an attentive, serious, absorbed, almost anxious, gaze into the depths of her corsage, and his nostrils, intoxicated by the woman's perfume, quivered like a butterfly ready to go and settle on the…” quote by Marcel Proust
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““...Swann had, as he shook the Marquise's hand, seen her bosom from close to and from above, he plunged an attentive, serious, absorbed, almost anxious, gaze into the depths of her corsage, and his nostrils, intoxicated by the woman's perfume, quivered like a butterfly ready to go and settle on the half-glimpsed flower.””

Marcel Proust

About This Quote

Source Novel: In Search of Lost Time, Volume 1, 1913

The narrator is intensely aware of sensory details, linking physical perception with emotional intensity.

In simple terms: He notices the woman's scent and appearance with deep focus.

Key Takeaway

Observe and appreciate fleeting sensory moments.

Themes

sensory detail attention desire

Mood

introspective poetic

Type

literary descriptive

When to use this quote

  • romantic encounter
  • artistic observation
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

perception memory intimacy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do sensory details shape our memories?
  • What does this reveal about desire?
A Different Perspective

The focus on physicality may overlook deeper emotional connection.

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