Correspondence Quote by Virginia Woolf
““Let us consider letters - how they come at breakfast, and at night, with their yellow stamps and their green stamps, immortalized by the postmark - for to see one's own envelope on another's table is to realize how soon deeds sever and become alien. Then at last the power of the mind to quit the body is manifest, and perhaps we fear or hate or wish annihilated this phantom of ourselves, lying on the table. Still, there are letters that merely say how dinner's at seven; others ordering coal; making appointments. The hand in them is scarcely perceptible, let alone the voice or the scowl. Ah, but when the post knocks and the letter comes always the miracle seems repeated - speech attempted. Venerable are letters, infinitely brave, forlorn, and lost.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Waves, 1931
Letters reveal how ordinary communication can both connect and alienate, reflecting deeper existential concerns about identity and presence.
In simple terms: Letters show how simple messages can feel distant and profound.
Key Takeaway
Consider the weight behind everyday messages.
Themes
connection
alienation
existence
identity
communication
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing letters
- reading mail
- reflecting on relationships
Key Concepts
epistolary literature
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a letter symbolize for you?
- How do you maintain authenticity in brief messages?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize letters, ignoring modern communication forms.
