“The words tasted sour. I agreed with Patrick. In New Orleans, sometimes death did feel more like socializing. And he knew better than anyone else. He frequented postmortem parties daily, trolling for books.”
-
Working on it...
-
Working on it...
-
Working on it...
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Ruta Sepetys, we delve into the complex themes of life, death, and the social dynamics of New Orleans. The imagery of death intertwining with socializing paints a vivid picture of a culture that engages with mortality in a unique and often unsettling way.
The phrase "The words tasted sour" sets the tone for an uncomfortable truth—acknowledging death can leave a bitter aftertaste. This visceral reaction underscores a deeper emotional response to the realities that the inhabitants of this city confront.
When the narrator agrees with Patrick, it emphasizes a shared understanding of the peculiar way New Orleans interacts with death. The image of "postmortem parties" suggests a celebration or acknowledgment of life that transcends the sadness typically associated with dying. This perspective can be seen as a means of coping with loss and remembering those who have passed.
Furthermore, the character 'trolling for books' can be interpreted as a search for knowledge or stories related to these experiences. It indicates an intellectual engagement with death that goes beyond mere acknowledgment; it reflects a desire to understand and preserve the narratives of those who have departed.
Overall, Sepetys encapsulates a nuanced relationship with death, suggesting that in New Orleans, it forms an integral part of social life, where mourning is intimately connected to celebrating life and storytelling.
Similar quotes
“Despite what some people have said, President Bush did not want black people to die in New Orleans. However, he did hope they would not relocate to any areas of Texas that he likes to frequent.”
“He felt himself, and did not want to be anyone else. All he wanted now was to be better than before.”
“He felt that he was himself and did not wish to be anyone else. He only wished now to be better than he had been formerly”
“I knew you better than anyone else. I was sure of it.”
“When I had finished the book I knew that no matter what Scott did, nor how he behaved, I must know it was like a sickness and be of any help I could to him and try to be a good friend. He had many good, good friends, more than anyone I knew. But I enlisted as one more, whether I could be of any use to him or not. If he could write a book as fine as The Great Gatsby I was sure that he could write an even better one. I did not know Zelda yet, and so I did not know the terrible odds that were against him. But we were to find them out soon enough.”