Coming home Quote by Scott McClanahan
““I walked up to the side of the mountain like I used to do when I was a little boy. I looked out over Rainelle and watched it shine. The coal trucks and the logging trucks were still gunning it through town. They were still clear cutting the mountains and cutting the coal from the ground. Then I heard my mother calling and it was like I was a child again.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lost Coast by Scott McClanahan, 2015
The narrator recalls childhood wonder while witnessing environmental degradation, then reconnects with his mother’s call, symbolizing a return to innocence.
In simple terms: Seeing nature’s damage triggers a childlike response and a reminder of home.
Key Takeaway
Remember to stay connected to simple, grounding moments.
Themes
environment
family
memory
industrial impact
nostalgia
Mood
reflective
bittersweet
hopeful
Type
narrative
personal
environmental
When to use this quote
- Hiking
- watching industrial activity
- hearing a loved one’s call
- reflecting on childhood
- contemplating environmental change
Key Concepts
Ecocriticism
place attachment
intergenerational bonds
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the landscape shape personal identity?
- What responsibilities do we have toward preserving natural places?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes the past, possibly overlooking the necessity of resource extraction for community livelihood.
![“There's always tons of crap music people are trying to sell us - [it's] the same way with publishers and galleries.” quote by Scott McClanahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/48c/scott-mcclanahan-14739_crap_there-s-always-tons-of-crap-music-people_1087934.jpg)
