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Crushed Quote by Mary Gaitskill

“Valiantly, he tried to bring his soul to life in the small thing through which it had to live, and it was crushed, again and again.” quote by Mary Gaitskill
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““Valiantly, he tried to bring his soul to life in the small thing through which it had to live, and it was crushed, again and again.””

Mary Gaitskill

About This Quote

Source Novel: The End of the World Is Just the Beginning, 2015

She strives to infuse meaning into mundane existence, but repeatedly fails, feeling crushed by reality.

In simple terms: Seeking purpose in small acts leads to repeated disappointment.

Key Takeaway

Accept limits, find resilience.

Themes

existentialism creativity failure resilience

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • artistic pursuits
  • daily routines
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

meaning-making self‑actualization mundane vs transcendent

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you find meaning in routine tasks?
  • What supports you when efforts feel futile?
A Different Perspective

Repeated attempts may erode hope without support.

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