Sense Oryx Quote by Margaret Atwood
““A puff of air—whuff!—hits his ears, blows out the candle. He can't be bothered relighting it, because the bourbon is taking over. He'd rather stay in the dark. He can sense Oryx drifting towards him on her soft feathery wings. Any moment now she'll be with him. He sits crouched in the chair with his head down on the desk and his eyes closed, in a state of misery and peace.””
About This Quote
A character chooses surrender to intoxication and darkness, finding a paradoxical comfort in despair as an imagined presence approaches.
In simple terms: Despair can feel soothing when paired with escapism.
Key Takeaway
Escapism can mask misery.
Themes
despair
escapism
intoxication
darkness
comfort
imagined presence
Mood
melancholic
introspective
surreal
Type
narrative
descriptive
When to use this quote
- drinking alone
- seeking escape from pain
- waiting for an imagined companion
- sitting in a dim room
Key Concepts
addiction
psychological surrender
symbolic darkness
Practical Applications
- exploring character depth in fiction
- illustrating themes of self‑destruction
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the darkness represent for the character?
- How does the imagined presence affect his acceptance of misery?
