"These days, Clarissa believes, you measure people first by their kindness and their capacity for devotion. You get tired, sometimes, of wit and intellect; everybody's little display of genius."
-Michael Cunningham, The Hours, p. 18
This line is just plain beautiful. Where Cunningham could add subtle symbolism to his meditation, he instead says exactly what he means, and what I think we all need to hear.
What if we all gave up the academic discourse for a simple "How are you" or "It's nice to see you"? As much as I love reading, it saddens me when people constantly try to impress each other at cocktail parties with esoteric fluff. It takes far less energy, simply, to be a caring person. Let's take a lesson from this gifted writer and go out of our ways to be thoughtful and compassionate every day. Maybe we can even bring the beauty of literature to real life.
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Dear Erin,
ReplyDeleteI will certainly try to help you and engage in a spirited discussion regarding some of these quotes but I must preface it with the fact that I am not an English major nor do I have a passionate feeling about the quote in question.
I think some people are letting life pass them by by spending too much time and energy keeping up with their friends and getting caught up in the material world. It truly would be a wonderful world in which we live if only we genuinely cared about our neighbor and not for what they can do for us but because they are... and that reason alone.
I can only try practice what you and I wish for. Perhaps in our own little way, we can make a difference.
Aunt Kathleen
As college students, it feels like everyone around us becomes consumed with her budding intellect and flaunting what she considers her own 'little displays of genius' that it becomes impossible to have honest, genuine discussions about anything... I love this quotation, Erin! I value my friends who are genuine people with a true 'capacity for devotion' so much more than those who mask their true selves behind a veil of forced 'wit and intellect'... to me, true beauty comes from a person who isn't afraid to say, "Hey! Listen up! This is me, take it or leave it!"
ReplyDeleteWhen we see a person with the qualities of Kindness and Devotion. Do we study thatPerson?Do we engage in conversation especially if the devotion or dedication is for a cause to help others? Do we try to be more like that Person?Or are we more likely to observe think who cares and get on with our busy lives.You were very perceptive in picking the selection it may not change our lives but certainly gives us time to pause and reflect. I feel like I am taking an extension course at Dartmouth. Thank God you grade on a curve. Grandpa
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