“The heavy red roses smoldering in the foggy morning, blood-colored and uninhibited, made me greedy, and tempted me powerfully to steal one--I asked the prices merely so I could come as near them as possible.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Knut Hamsun's work, the speaker is drawn to the sight of heavy red roses in the foggy morning. The vivid description of the roses as "blood-colored and uninhibited" evokes a sense of desire and temptation in the speaker. The imagery of the roses smoldering in the fog adds to the allure and intensity of the scene. The speaker's admission of feeling greedy and tempted to steal a rose demonstrates the powerful impact of beauty and desire on human behavior. The act of inquiring about the prices of the roses simply to come closer to them reflects the speaker's need to engage with the tempting beauty, even if it means risking propriety or consequence. This quote illustrates the transformative power of beauty and desire in influencing human actions.
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Knut Hamsun's work, the speaker is drawn to the beauty and allure of the red roses, feeling tempted to take one for themselves. This desire and temptation can be seen as a reflection of the consumerist culture of today, where material possessions and luxury goods often incite similar feelings of greed and desire. The quote serves as a reminder of the human tendency to be drawn to things of beauty and desire, even if it means crossing ethical lines.
Knut Hamsun's Descriptive Language
"The heavy red roses smoldering in the foggy morning, blood-colored and uninhibited, made me greedy, and tempted me powerfully to steal one--I asked the prices merely so I could come as near them as possible.” - Knut Hamsun"
Reflective Questions
As you think about this quote by Knut Hamsun, consider the following questions:
- What do you think the author is trying to convey through this description of the red roses?
- Have you ever been tempted by something beautiful or enticing, even if you knew it was wrong?
- How do you think the feeling of greed and temptation portrayed in this quote reflects on human nature?
- In what ways do you relate to the narrator's desire to possess something for its beauty alone?
Similar quotes
“Red", I write "is the color of life. It's blood, passion, rage. It's menstrual flow and after birth. Beginnings and violent end. Red is the color of love. Beating hearts and hungry lips. Roses, Valentines, cherries. Red is the color of shame. Crimson cheeks and spilled blood. Broken hearts, opened veins. A burning desire to return to white.”
“You tempt me. I can’t be tempted. I’m not made to be tempted.”
“I have always felt that fear possesses such great power, enough to paralyze and quake an individual. Pondering this, I realized that the source of fear's power comes from within me. So, I ask myself, does that not make me the powerful one?”
“Amber, you could never embarrass me.""Never?" she asked."Never.""One time, I yelled across the store to Mom and asked her if she wanted the regular or the super-absorbent tampons. I added that, according to the box, the super-absorbent were for those heavy days. Then I asked her to rate her heaviness on a scale of one to ten.""Okay, you could.""Then while we were standing in line, I asked her why she was buying three boxes of Summer's Eve in the middle of winter."I set her at arm's length. "Wow.""I know, right? I had no idea a person could turn so red.”
“THE ROSETOTHE ROSE UPON THE ROOD OF TIMERed Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days!Come near me, while I sing the ancient ways:Cuchulain battling with the bitter tide;The Druid, grey, wood-nurtured, quiet-eyed,Who cast round Fergus dreams, and ruin untold;And thine own sadness, where of stars, grown oldIn dancing silver-sandalled on the sea,Sing in their high and lonely melody.Come near, that no more blinded by man’s fate,I find under the boughs of love and hate,In all poor foolish things that live a day,Eternal beauty wandering on her way.Come near, come near, come near — Ah, leave me stillA little space for the rose-breath to fill!Lest I no more bear common things that crave;The weak worm hiding down in its small cave,The field-mouse running by me in the grass,And heavy mortal hopes that toil and pass;But seek alone to hear the strange things saidBy God to the bright hearts of those long dead,And learn to chaunt a tongue men do not know.Come near; I would, before my time to go,Sing of old Eire and the ancient ways:Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days.A king is but a foolish labourerWho wastes his blood to be another’s dream.”