“Truth be told, John said, the one thing in this world I want more than anything else is a great big crowbar, to jimmy myself open and take whatever creature that's sitting inside and shake it clean like a rug and then rinse it in a cold, clear lake like up in Oregon, and then I want to put it under the sun to let it heal and dry and grow and sit and come to consciousness again with a clear and quiet mind.”
Quote Analysis:
In this quote from Douglas Coupland's novel, a character named John expresses a desire for self-examination and renewal. He uses the metaphor of wanting a crowbar to open himself up and cleanse whatever is inside, stripping away any impurities and allowing himself to start fresh. This desire for self-growth and clarity reflects a universal longing for introspection and renewal.
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Douglas Coupland's novel, the character John expresses a deep desire for self-reflection and renewal. This theme of inner cleansing and growth is especially relevant in today's fast-paced and chaotic world, where many individuals seek ways to find clarity and rejuvenation amidst the stress and distractions of daily life. This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of taking the time to reflect on one's inner self, heal from past wounds, and cultivate a clear and peaceful mind in order to truly thrive in the modern world.
Example of Usage
In Douglas Coupland's novel, a character expresses a desire for a fresh start and a clean slate with a powerful metaphor involving a crowbar and a process of renewal.
Reflection Questions:
This quote by Douglas Coupland from his book "Eleanor Rigby" delves into the concept of self-exploration and self-discovery. Here are some reflection questions to consider in light of this profound statement:
- What does the imagery of using a crowbar to pry oneself open suggest about the idea of self-discovery and personal growth?
- How does the idea of cleansing and rinsing oneself in a cold, clear lake symbolize the process of healing and renewal?
- In what ways can putting oneself under the sun to heal and grow be applied to one's own journey of self-awareness and mindfulness?
- What do you think Coupland is trying to convey with the notion of coming to consciousness again with a clear and quiet mind?
- How does this imagery resonate with your own experiences of introspection and self-exploration?
Similar quotes
“I want to clean myself like the window of a house, make myself clear for things to pass through. Flat and quiet.”
“Give parents the tiniest of confidences and they'll use them as crowbars to jimmy you open and rearrange your life with no perspective. Sometimes I'd just like to mace them. I want to tell them that I envy their upbringings that were so clean, so free of futurelessness. And I want to throttle them for blindly handing over the world to us like so much skid-marked underwear.”
“I want to do it too!” said Gazzy, sitting very, very quietly, completely motionless.“Nope,” said Nudge, shaking her head. “You stand out like a fart in church.”
“I sat on the bench by the willows and at my honey bun and read Triton. There are some awful things in the world, it’s true, but there are also some great books. When I grow up I would like to write something that someone could read sitting on a bench on a day that isn’t all that warm and they could sit reading it and totally forget where they were or what time it was so that they were more inside the book than inside their own head. I’d like to write like Delany or Heinlein or Le Guin.”
“I couldn't have spoken like this yesterday, because when we've been apart, and I'm looking forward to seeing you, every thought is burnt up in a great flame. But then you come; and you're so much more than I remembered, and what I want of you is so much more than an hour or two every now and then, with wastes of thirsty waiting between, that I can sit perfectly still beside you, like this, with that other vision in my mind, just quietly trusting it to come true.”