Moon Quote by Wallace Stevens
““Lunar Paraphrase" The moon is the mother of pathos and pity. When, at the wearier end of November, Her old light moves along the branches, Feebly, slowly, depending upon them; When the body of Jesus hangs in a pallor, Humanly near, and the figure of Mary, Touched on by hoar-frost, shrinks in a shelter Made by the leaves, that have rotted and fallen; When over the houses, a golden illusion Brings back an earlier season of quiet And quieting dreams in the sleepers in darkness— The moon is the mother of pathos and pity.””
About This Quote
The poem reflects on the moon’s melancholic influence, linking its waning light to human sorrow and the fleeting nature of comfort in late autumn.
In simple terms: Moon as a source of sorrowful reflection.
Key Takeaway
Moon evokes pathos in seasonal decline.
Themes
melancholy
nature
spirituality
transience
seasonality
Mood
somber
reflective
wistful
Type
poetic
philosophical
lyiritual
When to use this quote
- late autumn evenings
- quiet contemplation
- grieving moments
- nighttime introspection
- seasonal transition
Key Concepts
light
death
religion
nature
Practical Applications
- poetic writing
- meditative practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the moon shape our emotional landscape?
- What does the poem suggest about the relationship between nature and human grief?
