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Philosophy Quote by Margaret Laurence

“Everything drifts. Everything is slowly swirling, philosophies tangled with the grocery lists, unreal-real anxieties like rose thorns waiting to tear the uncertain flesh, nonentities of thoughts floating like plankton, green and orange particles, seaweed -- lots of that, dark purple and waving…” quote by Margaret Laurence
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““Everything drifts. Everything is slowly swirling, philosophies tangled with the grocery lists, unreal-real anxieties like rose thorns waiting to tear the uncertain flesh, nonentities of thoughts floating like plankton, green and orange particles, seaweed -- lots of that, dark purple and waving, sharks with fins like cutlasses, herself held underwater by her hair, snared around auburn-rusted anchor chains.””

Margaret Laurence

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Diviners, 1974

The passage paints a vivid, chaotic inner landscape where thoughts, anxieties, and sensory images swirl together, reflecting mental turbulence.

In simple terms: The mind feels chaotic and full of tangled thoughts.

Key Takeaway

Practice mindfulness to calm mental chaos.

Themes

mental health creativity anxiety imagery chaos

Mood

introspective poetic

Type

literary psychological

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • therapy
  • artistic expression
  • stress management

Key Concepts

stream of consciousness symbolism metaphor sensory detail

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you visualize your inner thoughts?
  • What imagery helps you settle a racing mind?
A Different Perspective

Interpretation may vary widely among readers.

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