“The winged word. The mercurial word. The word that is both moth and lamp. The word that is itself and more. the associative word light with meanings. The word not netted by meaning. The exact word wide. The word not whore nor cenobite. The word unlied.”
Explore This Quote Further
Jeanette Winterson on the Power of Words
"The winged word. The mercurial word. The word that is both moth and lamp. The word that is itself and more. the associative word light with meanings. The word not netted by meaning. The exact word wide. The word not whore nor cenobite. The word unlied.” - Jeanette Winterson"
Analysis:
In this quote by Jeanette Winterson, the author emphasizes the power and versatility of words. The imagery of the "winged word" and the "mercurial word" suggests that words have the ability to soar and transform. The comparison of words to a moth and a lamp highlights their dual nature - capable of drawing towards truth and knowledge, while also being a source of light and illumination. Winterson also delves into the complexity of language, noting that words can be tied to multiple meanings and associations, yet remain free from being limited by any single interpretation. The mention of the word being "unlied" underscores the authenticity and honesty that words can convey. Overall, this quote celebrates the richness and depth of language as a tool for expression and communication.
Modern Relevance: The Power of Words
In a world where communication is ever-evolving and the power of language is constantly being harnessed by various mediums, Jeanette Winterson's quote about the complexity and depth of words is as relevant as ever. In today's fast-paced and digital age, where words can spread like wildfire through social media and the internet, it is important to remember the impact that language can have on our lives and the world around us. The notion of the "winged word" and its ability to be both enlightening and elusive resonates in a society where information is constantly being disseminated and interpreted. Winterson's reflection on the multi-faceted nature of words serves as a reminder of the enduring power and beauty of language in our modern world.
Reflection Questions:
In this quote by Jeanette Winterson, the power and complexity of words are explored. Take some time to reflect on the following questions:
What do you think Winterson means by the term "the winged word" and how does it evoke the idea of both freedom and illumination?
How does the imagery of a moth and lamp captured in the phrase "The word that is both moth and lamp" create a vivid and contrasting picture of the word's dual nature?
How do you interpret the idea of a word that is "not netted by meaning"? What implications does this hold for the way language is perceived and used?
According to Winterson, what qualities make a word "the exact word wide"? How does this concept challenge traditional notions of precision in language?
Reflect on the metaphorical significance of the word being described as "not whore nor cenobite". How does this contrast illuminate different aspects of a word's character?
What do you think Winterson is trying to convey with the assertion that a word is "unlied"? How does this assertion relate to ideas of authenticity and truth in language?
Similar quotes
“Words are the part of silence that can be spoken.”
“When I see a word held hostage to manhood I have to rescue it. Sweet trembling word, locked in a tower, tired of your Prince coming and coming.”
“The woman tried to teach Winnet her language, and Winnet learned the words but not the language.”
“To say exactly what one means, even to one's own private satisfaction, is difficult. To say exactly what one means and to involve another person is harder still. Communication between you and me relies on assumptions, associations, commonalities and a kind of agreed shorthand, which no-one could precisely define but which everyone would admit exists. That is one reason why it is an effort to have a proper conversation in a foreign language. Even if I am quite fluent, even if I understand the dictionary definitions of words and phrases, I cannot rely on a shorthand with the other party, whose habit of mind is subtly different from my own. Nevertheless, all of us know of times when we have not been able to communicate in words a deep emotion and yet we know we have been understood. This can happen in the most foreign of foreign parts and it can happen in our own homes. It would seem that for most of us, most of the time, communication depends on more than words.”
“What is remembered is not a deed in stone but a metaphor. Meta = above. Pheren = to carry. That which is carried above the literalness of life. A way of thinking that avoids the problems of gravity. The word won't let me down. The single word that can release me from all that unuttered weight.”
“I don't know how to answer. I know what I think, but words in the head are like voices underwater. They are distorted.”