Arabia Quote by Wilkie Collins
“Is there any wilderness of sand in the deserts of Arabia, is there any prospect of desolation among the ruins of Palestine, which can rival the repelling effect on the eye, and the depressing influence on the mind, of an English country town in the first stage of its existence, and in the transition state of its prosperity?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Moonstone, 1868
A rhetorical question comparing desolate landscapes to the stifling atmosphere of a nascent English town.
In simple terms: Comparing barren places to a small town’s oppressive feel.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how environment shapes perception.
Themes
environment
perception
urban development
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- travel writing
- historical analysis
- urban planning
- psychology of space
Key Concepts
literary description
comparative imagery
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a new town feel oppressive?
- How do landscapes affect mood?
A Different Perspective
The comparison may overgeneralize diverse locales.
![“[I]n the gloomy month of February… The Deserts of Arabia are not more dreary and inhospitable than the streets of London at such a time...” quote by Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47c/washington-irving-1386_arabia_i-n-the-gloomy-month-of-february-the-des_1805080.jpg)
![“We're defending Saudi Arabia? And with all of the money they have, we're defending them, and they're not paying? All you have to do is speak to them. Wait. You have so many different things you have to be able to do, and I don't believe that Hillary [Clinton] has the stamina.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a5/donald-trump-18_able_we-re-defending-saudi-arabia-and-with-al_72517.jpg)
