“Stars are beautiful, but they may not take an active part in anything, they must just look on for ever. It is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was. So the older ones have become glassy-eyed and seldom speak (winking is the star language), but the little ones still wonder.”
Analysis
In this quote from J.M. Barrie, the author uses personification to describe stars as sentient beings with thoughts and emotions. The idea that stars are punished for a long-forgotten transgression adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to their existence. The comparison of older stars to "glassy-eyed" individuals who rarely speak, and younger stars to curious beings who still wonder, creates a poignant image of the passage of time and the loss of innocence. Overall, this quote invites readers to reflect on the nature of existence and the idea of eternal observation.
Relevance of J.M. Barrie's Quote in Modern Times
In J.M. Barrie's quote, he muses about the beauty and passivity of stars, suggesting that they are being punished by having to watch events unfold without being able to actively participate. This idea can be relevant in modern times when considering the concept of being a bystander or observer in different situations. It can serve as a reminder of the importance of taking action and speaking up, especially in times of injustice or adversity. The idea that even the smallest stars still wonder hints at the importance of curiosity and staying engaged with the world around us.
A Quote by J.M. Barrie on the Nature of Stars
"Stars are beautiful, but they may not take an active part in anything, they must just look on for ever. It is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was. So the older ones have become glassy-eyed and seldom speak (winking is the star language), but the little ones still wonder." - J.M. Barrie
Reflection Questions
Reflecting on this quote by J.M. Barrie, consider the following questions:
- What do you think the author is trying to convey about the nature of stars and their role in the universe?
- How do you interpret the idea that stars may be being punished for something they did long ago?
- How does this quote make you feel about the concept of eternity and the passage of time?
- Do you think there are parallels between the behavior of stars in this quote and human behavior or emotions?
- In what ways do you see this quote as a reflection on the beauty and mystery of the universe?
Similar quotes
“Stars are beautiful, but they may not take an active part in anything, they must just look on for ever. It is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was. So the older ones have become glassy-eyed and seldom speak (winking is star language), but the little ones still wonder. They are not really friendly to Peter, who had a mischievous way of stealing up behind them and trying to blow them out, but they are so fond of fun that they were on his side tonight, and anxious to get the grown-ups out of the way. So as soon as the door of 27 closed on Mr. and Mrs. Darling there was a commotion in the firmament, and the smallest of all the stars in the Milky Way screamed out. "Now, Peter!”
“Stars are beautiful, but they must not take an active part in anything, they must just look on forever. It is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was.”
“Yet if we would know God and for other's sake tell what we know we must try to speak of his love. All Christians have tried but none has ever done it very well. I can no more do justice to that awesome and wonder-filled theme than a child can grasp a star. Still by reaching toward the star the child may call attention to it and even indicate the direction one must look to see it. So as I stretch my heart toward the high shining love of God someone who has not before known about it may be encouraged to look up and have hope.”
“At night, you'll look up at the stars. It's too small, where I live, for me to show you where my star is. It's better that way. My star will be...one of the stars, for you. So you'll like looking at all of them. They'll all be your friends. And besides, I have a present for you. He laughed again.'Ah, little fellow, little fellow, I love hearing that laugh.''That'll be my present. Just that...'People have stars, but they aren't the same. For travelers, the stars are guides. For other people they're nothing but tiny lights. And for still others, for scholars, they're problems. For my businessman, they were gold. But all those stars are silent stars. You though, you'll have stars like nobody else. 'What do you mean?'When you look up at the sky at night, sincle I'll be living on one of them, since I'll be laughing on one of them, for you it'll be as if all the stars are laughing. You'll have stars that can laugh!And he laughed again....And it'll be as if I had given you, instead of stars, a lot of little bells that know how to laugh.”
“You - you alone will have the stars as no one else has them...In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night...You - only you - will have stars that can laugh.”