Lantern Quote by William Faulkner
““It begins to rain. The first harsh, sparse, swift drops rush through the leaves and across the ground in a long sigh, as though of relief from intolerable suspense. They are big as buckshot, warm as though fired from a gun; they sweep across the lantern in a vicious hissing. Pa lifts his face, slackmouthed, the wet black rim of snuff plastered close along the base of his gums; from behind his slack-faced astonishment he 'muses as though from beyond time, upon the ultimate outrage. Cash looks once at the sky, then at the lantern. The saw has not faltered, the running gleam of its pistoning edge unbroken. "Get something to cover the lantern," he says.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Light in August, William Faulkner, 1932
A sudden rain brings relief and reveals hidden tensions, prompting urgent action.
In simple terms: Rain symbolizes relief and urgency.
Key Takeaway
Act quickly when relief appears.
Themes
nature
relief
urgency
conflict
Mood
tense
hopeful
Type
literary
dramatic
When to use this quote
- emergency response
- creative writing
- stress management
Key Concepts
symbolism
human tension
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the rain represent in your life?
- How do you respond to sudden relief?
A Different Perspective
Rain may be temporary; underlying problems persist.
