“Irreverence is a way of playing hooky and remaining present at the same time.”
In this quote by Mary Ruefle, she explores the idea that irreverence can be a form of escapism while still being engaged with the present moment. Let's delve deeper into the meaning of this statement.
Ruefle suggests that being irreverent allows individuals to take a break from the seriousness and expectations of life, similar to playing hooky from school or work. However, she also highlights that being irreverent does not mean completely disconnecting from reality. Rather, it is a way to maintain a sense of presence and awareness while stepping away from the norm. This notion challenges the conventional idea that escapism is always a form of avoiding reality, suggesting instead that it can be a way of recharging and finding new perspectives on the world around us. Ruefle's quote encourages us to embrace moments of irreverence as a means of balancing our responsibilities and maintaining our connection to the present.
In today's fast-paced and constantly connected world, the concept of irreverence can provide a much-needed break from the daily grind. Mary Ruefle's quote highlights how being irreverent allows us to take a break from the seriousness of life while still remaining present and engaged in the moment. This idea can be a valuable reminder for individuals seeking balance and mental well-being in the modern world.
"Irreverence is a way of playing hooky and remaining present at the same time.” - Mary Ruefle"
This quote by Mary Ruefle points to the idea that irreverence can be a form of rebellion while still being engaged in the moment. Let's explore some examples of how this concept can be applied in everyday life.
Considering Mary Ruefle's statement on irreverence, think about the following questions:
“If there is any irreverence in my own work, I hope it is the irreverence I bear in mistrusting my own sincere self, which then sincerely mistrusts the irreverent me. If there is a bottom to this, I think it is a life’s work.”
“Attempting to Soar"A boy from Brooklyn used to cruise on summer nights.As soon as he’d hit sixty he’d hold his hand out the window,cupping it around the wind. He’d been assuredthis is exactly how a woman’s breast feels when you putyour hand around it and apply a little pressure. Now he knew,and he loved it. Night after night, again and again, untilthe weather grew cold and he had to roll the window up.For many years afterwards he was perpetually attemptingto soar. One winter’s night, holding his wife’s breastin his hand, he closed his eyes and wanted to weep.He loved her, but it was the wind he imagined now.As he grew older, he loved the word etcetera and refusedto abbreviate it. He loved sweet white butter. He oftenpretended to be playing the organ. On one of his last mornings,he noticed the shape of his face molded in the pillow.He shook it out, but the next morning it reappeared.”
“Something unpronounceablefollowed by a long silencepoints out my lifeis becoming a landscape.”
“For years the tears fellwithout touching the ground.On this night they hit the floor.”
“The industrial world destroys nature not because it doesn’t love it but because it is not afraid of it.”
“After hearts shot through with arrows, we have bunnies followed by a warlike fire in the sky, then ghosts, turkeys to honor more ghosts, and a baby born in a barn who is not yet a ghost but also a ghost, for whom we drag trees inside where they do not belong.”