Liked Quote by Mary Gaitskill
““He felt like a man in a small boat under which a huge sea creature has passed, causing the boat to pitch gently. Like a man in a boat, he could chase it or run from it, and he picked chase. If he felt it on her lips, he put his mouth on her lips. If he found it on the palm of her hand, he opened her hand and licked it up. Her soul darted here and there, sensitive as any creature, tipping her center of balance back and forth as it oscillated. She liked this, and if she had any fear, she did not take it seriously. He liked it, too, so much that he could barely concentrate on the chase.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The End of the World Is a Cul de Sac” by Mary Gaitskill, 2014
A vivid metaphor of desire as an unpredictable, overwhelming force that both excites and destabilizes.
In simple terms: Desire can be wild and unsettling.
Key Takeaway
Embrace desire’s intensity without losing focus.
Themes
desire
intimacy
control
vulnerability
Mood
passionate
conflicted
intense
Type
literary
sensual
When to use this quote
- romantic pursuit
- artistic expression
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
sensory metaphor
human connection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance intense desire with practical responsibilities?
- What limits does desire impose on clarity?
A Different Perspective
Desire may lead to loss of concentration and poor decision‑making.
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