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Brushes Quote by Virginia Woolf

“For this is the truth about our soul, he thought, who fish-like inhabits deep seas and plies among obscurities threading her way between the boles of giant weeds, over sun-flickered spaces and on and on into gloom, cold, deep, inscrutable; suddenly she shoots to the surface and sports on the…” quote by Virginia Woolf
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“For this is the truth about our soul, he thought, who fish-like inhabits deep seas and plies among obscurities threading her way between the boles of giant weeds, over sun-flickered spaces and on and on into gloom, cold, deep, inscrutable; suddenly she shoots to the surface and sports on the wind-wrinkled waves; that is, has a positive need to brush, scrape, kindle herself, gossiping.”

Virginia Woolf

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Waves by Virginia Woolf, 1931

The passage depicts the soul as a restless, searching entity that moves through darkness and emerges briefly to seek connection and expression.

In simple terms: The soul drifts in darkness, then seeks light and interaction.

Key Takeaway

Embrace moments of connection amid inner turbulence.

Themes

identity existence search connection expression

Mood

melancholic contemplative hopeful

Type

literary philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • creative writing
  • personal reflection
  • mental health coping
  • artistic inspiration

Key Concepts

psychology existentialism literary metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you navigate inner darkness?
  • What moments bring you to the surface?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may romanticize turmoil, overlooking practical coping strategies.

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