“Until now, I've never been able to see while I fly, and I feel a dizzying lightness as I look out at the land below us.Is this what I've missed?The stars have come to the earth, and the ocean has turned over the ground; dark waves meet the sky. They are unmoving, barely visible but for the light of the sun rising behind them.Mountains, I realize. That's what the ocean is. Those waves are peaks. The stars are lights in houses and on streets. The earth reflects the sky and the sky meets the earth and, every now and then, if we're lucky, we have a moment to see how small we are.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis:
In this quote from Ally Condie's novel, the protagonist expresses awe and wonder at the sights she sees while flying. The imagery of the stars coming to earth and the ocean appearing like dark waves meeting the sky creates a sense of magic and ethereal beauty. As she realizes that the ocean is like mountains and the stars are like lights in houses, she comes to a profound realization about the interconnectedness and vastness of the world. This moment of perspective allows her to understand her own smallness in the grand scheme of things. It highlights the theme of humility and the power of gaining a new perspective on life.
The Beauty of Perspective
Ally Condie's description of the awe-inspiring view from the sky in this passage reminds us of the profound sense of perspective that can come from seeing things from a different vantage point. In our fast-paced modern world, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle and lose sight of the bigger picture. Taking a moment to step back and see things from a new perspective can help us appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around us, and remind us of our place in the universe. Just as the narrator in the passage is struck by the smallness of humanity against the vastness of the natural world, we too can benefit from moments of reflection that allow us to see the world in a new light.
Example of Usage
"Until now, I've never been able to see while I fly, and I feel a dizzying lightness as I look out at the land below us. Is this what I've missed? The stars have come to the earth, and the ocean has turned over the ground; dark waves meet the sky. They are unmoving, barely visible but for the light of the sun rising behind them. Mountains, I realize. That's what the ocean is. Those waves are peaks. The stars are lights in houses and on streets. The earth reflects the sky and the sky meets the earth and, every now and then, if we're lucky, we have a moment to see how small we are." - Ally Condie
Reflection Questions
As you reflect on this passage from Ally Condie's writing, consider the following questions:
- How does the imagery of flying and seeing the world from above impact your perspective on life and its vastness?
- In what ways does the comparison of the ocean to mountains and the stars to lights on earth change your understanding of the natural world?
- How does the concept of feeling small in the grand scheme of things resonate with you personally?
- How can moments of awe, like the one described in the passage, help us gain a deeper appreciation for the world around us and our place in it?
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