Communication Quote by Toni Morrison
““Their conversation is like a gently wicked dance: sound meets sound, curtsies, shimmies, and retires. Another sound enters but is upstaged by still another: the two circle each other and stop. Sometimes their words move in lofty spirals; other times they take strident leaps, and all of it is punctuated with warm-pulsed laughter—like the throb of a heart made of jelly. The edge, the curl, the thrust of their emotions is always clear to Frieda and me. We do not, cannot, know the meanings of all their words, for we are nine and ten years old. So we watch their faces, their hands, their feet, and listen for truth in timbre.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Sula by Toni Morrison, 1973
The narrator observes a complex, layered conversation, noting its musicality, emotional intensity, and the limits of youthful understanding.
In simple terms: Children watch adults' talk, feeling its rhythm and emotion without grasping all meanings.
Key Takeaway
Observe and feel beyond words.
Themes
communication
emotion
perception
youth
observation
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
observational
literary
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- schoolyard interactions
- watching performances
- learning social cues
Key Concepts
dialogue
musicality
nonverbal cues
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you sense truth beyond words?
- What emotions do you notice in others' tone?
A Different Perspective
Children may misinterpret subtle cues, leading to misunderstanding.
