--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He feels, as he sometimes does, as most…" description: "\"“He feels, as he sometimes does, as most people must, a presence in the room, what he can only think of as his and Rebecca's living ghosts, the amalgam..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/310/michael-cunningham-1120_believes_he-feels-as-he-sometimes-does-as-most-pe_2733003.jpg" --- # He feels, as he sometimes does, as most people must, a… ![“He feels, as he sometimes does, as most people must, a presence in the room, what he can only think of as his and Rebecca's living ghosts, the amalgamation of their dreams and their breathing, their smells. He does not believe in ghosts, but he believes in...something. Something viable, something…” quote by Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/310/michael-cunningham-1120_believes_he-feels-as-he-sometimes-does-as-most-pe_2733003.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/310/michael-cunningham-1120_believes_he-feels-as-he-sometimes-does-as-most-pe_2733003.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/310/michael-cunningham-1120_believes_he-feels-as-he-sometimes-does-as-most-pe_2733003.jpg) > ““He feels, as he sometimes does, as most people must, a presence in the room, what he can only think of as his and Rebecca's living ghosts, the amalgamation of their dreams and their breathing, their smells. He does not believe in ghosts, but he believes in...something. Something viable, something living, that's surprised when he wakes at this hour, that's neither glad nor sorry to see him awake but that recognizes the fact, because it has been interrupted in its nocturnal inchoate musings.”” [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A presence of shared dreams and memories feels like living ghosts. **In simple terms:** Shared experiences create a lingering, intangible presence. Key Takeaway Acknowledge the impact of shared histories. Themes memory connection presence Mood melancholic introspective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - family gatherings - long‑term friendships - creative collaborations Key Concepts psychoanalysis literature Questions to Reflect On - How do shared memories influence your relationships? - What “ghosts” linger in your life? A Different Perspective Interpretations of “ghosts” may vary, causing confusion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe Ghosts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-ghosts-391991/) [Believes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believes/) [Ghosts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghosts/) [Ghosts Believes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghosts-believes-2968857/) [Presence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence/) ## Related quotes > [Do I believe in ghosts?...I am prepared to consider evidence and accept it if it satisfies me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-r-james/do-i-believe-in-ghosts-i-am-prepared-to-consider-evidence-and-accept/) [M. R. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-r-james/) > [Do you believe in spirits? Or ghosts?...Yes, I do. I believe in ghosts…They're the ones who haunt us. The ones who have left us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-baker-kline/do-you-believe-in-spirits-or-ghosts-yes-i-do-i-believe-in-ghosts-they/) [Christina Baker Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-baker-kline/) > [Ghost?” St. Vincent shot him an incredulous glance. “Christ. You’re not serious, are you?” "I’m a Gypsy,” Cam replied matter-of-factly. “Of course I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/ghost-st-vincent-shot-him-an-incredulous-glance-christ-you-re-not/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [I was haunted by a bear attack that happened in Algonquin Park in 1991. The problem was that I don't believe in ghosts, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-cameron/i-was-haunted-by-a-bear-attack-that-happened-in-algonquin-park-in/) [Claire Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-cameron/) > [I don't necessarily not believe in ghosts, but I've never seen a ghost. A ghost has never jumped out and been like, 'Hey, how's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-paxton/i-don-t-necessarily-not-believe-in-ghosts-but-i-ve-never-seen-a-ghost/) [Sara Paxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-paxton/) > [“I don’t believe in ghosts or magic.” “I don’t either, Mary. But I do know one thing.” “What’s that?” “That this guy is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baldacci/i-don-t-believe-in-ghosts-or-magic-i-don-t-either-mary-but-i-do-know/) [David Baldacci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baldacci/) > [If you don't believe in ghosts, you've never been to a family reunion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-brilliant/if-you-don-t-believe-in-ghosts-you-ve-never-been-to-a-family-reunion/) [Ashleigh Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-brilliant/) > [“I just wanted to say something about him, to shoot his spirit out over the airwaves and see what it will do. Maybe he'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-standiford/i-just-wanted-to-say-something-about-him-to-shoot-his-spirit-out-over/) [Natalie Standiford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-standiford/) > [People who believe in ghosts think that dead people can walk through locked doors. Nonsense - they have to use a key like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-avery/people-who-believe-in-ghosts-think-that-dead-people-can-walk-through/) [John Avery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-avery/) > [I like the influence of the macabre, but I don't believe in ghosts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-like-the-influence-of-the-macabre-but-i-don-t-believe-in-ghosts/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“... I don't believe in ghosts - not the scary white sheet, boogie-woogie type of ghost anyway. And yet ... I don't disbelieve either.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-tayleur/i-don-t-believe-in-ghosts-not-the-scary-white-sheet-boogie-woogie/) [Karen Tayleur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-tayleur/) > [I don't believe in ghosts or paranormal activity, but one time I think I saw - I might have seen - no, I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-blum/i-don-t-believe-in-ghosts-or-paranormal-activity-but-one-time-i-think/) [Jason Blum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-blum/) > [I am not scared of ghosts. I don't believe in ghosts or in the supernatural.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/urmila-matondkar/i-am-not-scared-of-ghosts-i-don-t-believe-in-ghosts-or-in-the/) [Urmila Matondkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/urmila-matondkar/) > [I can read the Tarot cards and believe in ghosts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-roberts/i-can-read-the-tarot-cards-and-believe-in-ghosts/) [Mark Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-roberts/) > [I'm an atheist. I don't believe in the afterlife, but I do believe in ghosts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lowery/i-m-an-atheist-i-don-t-believe-in-the-afterlife-but-i-do-believe-in/) [David Lowery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lowery/) ## More by Michael Cunningham > [“Mizzy has wandered into the garden. Carole looks contemplatively at him, says, "Lovely boy." "My wife's insanely younger brother. He's one of those kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/mizzy-has-wandered-into-the-garden-carole-looks-contemplatively-at/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“Zoe loved Trancas's mother. She respected her exhausted and ironic hope for rebirth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/zoe-loved-trancas-s-mother-she-respected-her-exhausted-and-ironic/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [The lives great artists live and the books they write are two very different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/the-lives-great-artists-live-and-the-books-they-write-are-two-very/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“How often since then has she wondered what might have happened if she'd tried to remain with him; if she’d returned Richard's kiss on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/how-often-since-then-has-she-wondered-what-might-have-happened-if-she/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“...a full week of their mother's quiet fury over the fun they don't seem to be having and their father's dogged attempts to provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/a-full-week-of-their-mother-s-quiet-fury-over-the-fun-they-don-t-seem/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [Oh, all you immigrants and visionaries, what do you hope to find here, who do you hope to become?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/oh-all-you-immigrants-and-visionaries-what-do-you-hope-to-find-here/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“She wants to have baked a cake that banishes sorrow, even if only for a little while.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/she-wants-to-have-baked-a-cake-that-banishes-sorrow-even-if-only-for/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“And yet, it gives Peter nothing. Not now. Not today. Not when he needs... more. More than this well-executed idea. More than the shark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/and-yet-it-gives-peter-nothing-not-now-not-today-not-when-he-needs/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [He insists on a version of you that is funnier, stranger, more eccentric and prfound thatn you suspect yourself to be--capable of doing more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/he-insists-on-a-version-of-you-that-is-funnier-stranger-more/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [The worst are full of passionate intensity while the best lack all conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/the-worst-are-full-of-passionate-intensity-while-the-best-lack-all/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“And here he is, letting the massive steel street door click shut behind him, standing at the top of the three iron steps that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/and-here-he-is-letting-the-massive-steel-street-door-click-shut/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [It's the world, you live in it, even if some boy has made a fool of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/it-s-the-world-you-live-in-it-even-if-some-boy-has-made-a-fool-of-you/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“She's had a long life. Now she's going to the Lord." "Frankly it creeps me out a little when you say things like that,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/she-s-had-a-long-life-now-she-s-going-to-the-lord-frankly-it-creeps/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [Any other vexations to report?" he asks. "I love the word 'vexations.'" "It's the 'x.' Nice to jump off a 'v' and bite into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/any-other-vexations-to-report-he-asks-i-love-the-word-vexations-it-s/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [Dead, we are revealed in our true dimensions, and they are surprisingly modest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/dead-we-are-revealed-in-our-true-dimensions-and-they-are-surprisingly/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) [Explore all 277 Michael Cunningham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) ## More Believes quotes > [A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-erhard/a-compromise-is-the-art-of-dividing-a-cake-in-such-a-way-that/) [Ludwig Erhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-erhard/) > [Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/only-he-who-believes-is-obedient-and-only-he-who-is-obedient-believes/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [If she gives you her heart she believes you are all she needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-jush/if-she-gives-you-her-heart-she-believes-you-are-all-she-needs/) [El Jush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-jush/) > [“He is a missionary and believes in God, intensely I mean, but it takes all kinds to make a world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-paton/he-is-a-missionary-and-believes-in-god-intensely-i-mean-but-it-takes/) [Alan Paton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-paton/) > [I see myself as a man who is searching for meaning in life. This is rather different from being a staunch believer in something.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aharon-appelfeld/i-see-myself-as-a-man-who-is-searching-for-meaning-in-life-this-is/) [Aharon Appelfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aharon-appelfeld/) > [I don't think she doesn't believe she can die. I think, just like you always did, she believes there are things worth dying for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-don-t-think-she-doesn-t-believe-she-can-die-i-think-just-like-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [A frnd iz d one who believes in u even at that time when u believe in urself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-frnd-iz-d-one-who-believes-in-u-even-at-that-time-when-u-believe-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you design a building, you start from a general philosophy, and you come down, and you start from detail and come up. Only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renzo-piano/when-you-design-a-building-you-start-from-a-general-philosophy-and/) [Renzo Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renzo-piano/) > [I believe in myself like a five-year-old believes in himself. They say look at me, look at me! Then they do a flip in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-believe-in-myself-like-a-five-year-old-believes-in-himself-they-say/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [“By night an atheist half believes in God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/by-night-an-atheist-half-believes-in-god/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [President Clinton not only benefits by gay and lesbian votes, but he benefits by showing the nation that he is a strong leader who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mixner/president-clinton-not-only-benefits-by-gay-and-lesbian-votes-but-he/) [David Mixner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mixner/) > [Cynicism, I contend, is the wailing of someone who believes that things are, or should be, or could be, much, much better than they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/cynicism-i-contend-is-the-wailing-of-someone-who-believes-that-things/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [“Everyone believes very easily whatever he fears or desires.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/everyone-believes-very-easily-whatever-he-fears-or-desires/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [“The God I believe in believes in me and won’t silence my heart or others based on a paycheck at the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-alder/the-god-i-believe-in-believes-in-me-and-won-t-silence-my-heart-or/) [Shannon Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-alder/) > [It's hard to come across genuine people now a days and no one believes in the truth anymore either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-hard-to-come-across-genuine-people-now-a-days-and-no-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 736 Believes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He feels, as he sometimes does, as most people must, a presence in the room, what he can only think of as his and Rebecca's living ghosts, the amalgamation of their dreams and their breathing, their smells. 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