Baskets Quote by Mary McCarthy
“Venice, as a city, was a foundling, floating upon the waters like Moses in his basket among the bulrushes.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Group, 1963, Novel excerpt
The city is portrayed as a vulnerable newborn, adrift yet hopeful, like a child in a basket.
In simple terms: Cities are likened to newborns floating on water.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the fragility and potential of urban life.
Themes
urban development
vulnerability
hope
metaphor
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
literary
metaphorical
When to use this quote
- urban planning meetings
- community workshops
- policy debates
- educational lectures
Key Concepts
city planning
human resilience
environmental risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this metaphor change your view of city life?
- What responsibilities do we have to nurture urban environments?
A Different Perspective
Cities also have strength and agency, not just fragility.
![“She considered [her] life, which had not been a life but only a sort of greeting, a Hello There.” quote by Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/354/mary-mccarthy-2691_considered_she-considered-her-life-which-had-not-be_53594.jpg)
