“Mom had just gotten back from Sydney, and she had brought me an immense, surpassingly blue butterfly, Papilio ulysses, mounted in a frame filled with cotton. I would hold it close to my face, so close I couldn't see anything but that blue. It would fill me with a feeling, a feeling I later tried to duplicate with alcohol and finally found again with Clare, a feeling of unity, oblivion, mindlessness in the best sense of the word.”
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Audrey Niffenegger's novel, the narrator describes a feeling of unity and peace brought on by a beautiful blue butterfly. This sense of awe and connection to nature is something that is still incredibly relevant in today's world, where many people seek solace and comfort in the natural world. This quote reminds us of the importance of finding moments of tranquility and unity in our busy lives, and the power of nature to provide us with a sense of calm and peace.
Example of Usage
In Audrey Niffenegger's novel, the character describes the overwhelming sense of mesmerization brought on by a beautiful butterfly handed down to her by her mother from a trip to Sydney. The imagery of the vivid blue butterfly creates a feeling of unity and bliss that she later attempts to replicate through various means.
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Audrey Niffenegger's novel, the narrator reflects on a vivid memory from their childhood involving a butterfly their mother brought back from Sydney. The intense blue color of the butterfly evoked a deep emotional response in the narrator, a feeling of unity and oblivion. This feeling of mindlessness, described as the best sense of the word, was later sought out through alcohol and ultimately found again in a relationship with Clare. This quote highlights the power of sensory experiences to evoke strong emotions and the ways in which we seek to recapture those feelings throughout our lives.
Reflection Questions:
As you read this passage from Audrey Niffenegger's novel, consider the following questions to delve deeper into the themes of unity, escapism, and emotional connections:
- How does the image of the blue butterfly evoke feelings of unity and connection for the narrator?
- In what ways do the narrator's subsequent attempts to recreate that feeling through alcohol and relationships reflect a longing for the same sense of oblivion and mindlessness?
- How does the physical act of holding the butterfly close to their face symbolize the intensity of the emotional experience for the narrator?
- Reflect on moments in your own life where you have felt a similar sense of unity, oblivion, or mindlessness. What triggers those feelings for you? How do you seek to recreate or preserve those moments in your memory?
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