Decadence Quote by Octave Mirbeau
““After two years' absence she finally returned to chilly Europe, a trifle weary, a trifle sad, disgusted by our banal entertainments, our shrunken landscapes, our impoverished lovemaking. Her soul had remained over there, among the gigantic, poisonous flowers. She missed the mystery of old temples and the ardor of a sky blazing with fever, sensuality and death. The better to relive all these magnificent, raging memories, she became a recluse, spending entire days lying about on tiger skins, playing with those pretty Nepalese knives 'which dissipate one's dreams'.””
About This Quote
A yearning for exotic, intense experiences drives her to reject mundane Western life, seeking solace in solitude and symbolic objects that echo her lost passions.
In simple terms: Exotic longing vs. banal routine.
Key Takeaway
Escapism fuels identity.
Themes
longing
exoticism
disillusionment
solitude
identity
memory
Mood
melancholic
wistful
intense
Type
literary
philosophical
descriptive
When to use this quote
- post‑colonial travel
- artistic burnout
- cultural alienation
- spiritual crisis
- creative block
Key Concepts
cultural contrast
sensuality
death
nature
symbolism
Practical Applications
- writing evocative prose
- designing immersive experiences
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the protagonist’s retreat reveal about the limits of cultural assimilation?
- How might the ‘tiger skins’ and ‘Nepalese knives’ symbolize her inner conflict?
![“Exotic novelty. My statement to [people] is always, well, set this picture in your home town, is it still an interesting picture? Or is it just exotic? Would I care about this same picture minus its exoticism?” quote by Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f18/sam-abell-7768_care_exotic-novelty-my-statement-to-people-is_1058392.jpg)
