Big city Quote by Samuel Selvon
““Always, from the first time he went there to see Eros and the lights, that circus have a magnet for him, that circus represent life, that circus is the beginning and the ending of the world. Every time he go there, he have the same feeling like when he see it the first night, drink coca-cola, any time is guinness time, bovril and the fireworks, a million flashing lights, gay laughter, the wide doors of theatres, the huge posters, everready batteries, rich people going into tall hotels, people going to the theatre, people sitting and standing and walking and talking and laughing and buses and cars and Galahad Esquire, in all this, standing there in the big city, in London. Oh Lord.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lonely Londoners, 1956, Samuel Selvon
The circus symbolizes life's perpetual wonder and chaos, evoking childlike awe amid urban complexity.
In simple terms: Circus reflects life's endless excitement.
Key Takeaway
Embrace wonder in everyday surroundings.
Themes
wonder
urban life
nostalgia
spectacle
Mood
dreamy
nostalgic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- city festivals
- theatre visits
- travel experiences
- daily commutes
Key Concepts
sociology
urban anthropology
memory
joy
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday places spark childlike awe for you?
- How does nostalgia shape your view of the city?
A Different Perspective
Constant novelty can mask underlying societal issues.
