After all, damn it, what does being in love mean if you can't trust a person.
Evelyn WaughRead
That was the change in her from ten years ago; that, indeed, was her reward, this haunting, magical sadness which spoke straight to the heart and struck silence; it was the completion of her beauty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the profound transformation a person experiences over time, valuing the bittersweet nature of memory and beauty.
Evelyn Waugh's quote emphasizes how change over the years can lead to a deeper, more poignant understanding of one's beauty and experiences. The 'haunting, magical sadness' signifies that beauty is not only about outward appearances but also encompasses the emotional depth and complexity formed by time and memory, highlighting that personal growth often comes with a bittersweet sense of loss and nostalgia.
Themes
ChangeBeautySadnessTransformationMemory
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech, reflecting on how much attendees have changed over the years.
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...she had regained what I thought she had lost forever, the magical sadness which had drawn me to her, the thwarted look that had seemed to say, "Surely I was made for some other purpose than this?
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That's the public-school system all over. They may kick you out, but they never let you down.
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