“He tapped my chest. 'Happy is here.' He tapped his own chest. 'Here.'I looked down past my chin. 'Inside?''Inside.'It was getting crowded in there. First angel. Now happy. It seemed there was more to me than cabbage and turnips.”
Analysis of Quote from Jerry Spinelli
In this quote from Jerry Spinelli's novel, the protagonist reflects on the idea of happiness residing within oneself. The simple gesture of tapping one's chest is used to convey a deeper message about the complexities of human emotions and the multifaceted nature of one's being. The protagonist's realization that there is more to them than just physical attributes like "cabbage and turnips" suggests a newfound understanding of their own inner world and the presence of intangible qualities like happiness. This quote highlights the theme of self-discovery and the importance of recognizing and nurturing one's inner happiness.
Finding Happiness Within
In this quote from Jerry Spinelli's book, the character reflects on the idea of happiness residing within oneself. This concept of finding happiness internally is especially relevant in today's modern world, where external factors often dictate our mood and well-being. In a society that values material possessions and external validation, it is important to remember that true happiness comes from within ourselves. Like the character in the quote, we may find that there is more to us than meets the eye when we start looking within for happiness.
Jerry Spinelli, Stargirl
This quote from Jerry Spinelli's novel Stargirl illustrates the idea that happiness can come from within, rather than external sources. The protagonist realizes that there is more to him than just basic, mundane things like cabbage and turnips. This moment highlights the importance of finding joy and contentment within ourselves, rather than relying on external factors.
Reflection Questions
Jerry Spinelli's quote from his book highlights the idea of happiness residing within oneself. Reflect on the following questions to explore your own understanding of your inner happiness:
- How do you interpret the notion of happiness being inside yourself, rather than external?
- Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt truly happy within yourself? What brought about that feeling?
- In what ways can you nurture and cultivate your inner happiness on a daily basis?
- Do you tend to seek happiness from external sources or do you believe in finding it within yourself? Why?
- How does the concept of having more to you than meets the eye resonate with you personally?
Similar quotes
“You are so gosh damn beautiful in here," he said, tapping my chest, "that what's here," he spoke, running the side of his hand down my face, "is magnified tenfold and that is a sight to be hold.”
“I carry this thing between us, like a weight. A good weight, in my pocket. I reach out and hold it from time to time like a wonderful secret. I will always have that. I will never feel this way about another woman, ever. My heart will be yours forever, no matter who shares your bed, no matter whose children you bear. I’m here.” He tapped her chest. “And you’re here.” He tapped his own.”
“The timbre of his voice went into that low register that made my insides curl in on themselves--it was like my uterus was tapping out a happy dance on the rest of my organs.”
“Your thigh? Your shoulder? Is there any part of you that hasn't been hurt yet?"He seemed to be contemplating my question for a moment and then he nodded. He tapped his chest. "Yeah, my heart." He looked over at me. "But its feeling mighty vulnerable these days, so who knows.”
“Even if you kill her, she'll still be alive-here." He tapped his chest. "In me. I keep her here. She's part of me. So until you kill me, you can't really kill her. And you can't win. It's that simple.”