Terrible thing Quote by Thomas Pynchon
““How do you feel about this terrible thing?" "Terrible," said Oedipa. "Wonderful!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Crying of Lot 49, 1966
A character reacts to a terrible event by calling it both terrible and wonderful, highlighting paradoxical perception.
In simple terms: People can find wonder in horror.
Embrace paradox in emotional responses.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal trauma
- artistic critique
- philosophical debate
- humor in tragedy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we label pain as beautiful?
- How does humor affect processing trauma?
The juxtaposition may downplay genuine suffering.