Of the widow's countless death-duties there is really just one that matters: on the first anniversary of her husband's death the widow should think I kept myself alive.
Joyce Carol OatesRead
To be knocked out doesn't mean what it seems. A boxer does not have to get up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Overcoming setbacks requires inner strength, regardless of external appearances.
Joyce Carol Oates suggests that defeat or being 'knocked out' in life or sports does not always equate to failure, as the true measure of resilience lies in the choices one makes after such a setback. A boxer may not have to get up after a knockdown, illustrating that the refusal or inability to rise can signify a deeper personal battle and the importance of understanding one's circumstances rather than judging solely by outward actions.
Themes
ResilienceDefeatStrengthCourageBoxing
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about resilience after failure.
More from Joyce Carol Oates
All quotes βI never really knew I wanted to 'be' a writer, but I was always writing from a very young age. It became more conscious as an ideal when I was in my twenties.
Joyce Carol OatesRead
I'm drawn to write about upstate New York in the way in which a dreamer might have recurring dreams. My childhood and girlhood were spent in upstate New York, in the country north of Buffalo and West of Rochester. So this part of New York state is very familiar to me and, with its economic difficulties, has become emblematic of much of American life.
Joyce Carol OatesRead
My writing is often a way of 'bearing witness' for others who lack the education and the opportunity to tell their own stories, so I hope that my writing won't be affected too much by my personal life.
Joyce Carol OatesRead
The worst cynicism: a belief in luck.
Joyce Carol OatesRead
. . . there is a wish in the heart of mankind to be distracted and confused. Truth is but one attraction, and not always the most powerful.
Joyce Carol OatesRead
Similar quotes
I am just going outside and I may be some time
Lawrence OatesRead
Few of us will do the spectacular deeds of heroism that spread themselves across the pages of our newspapers in big black headlines. But we can all be heroic in the little things of everyday life. We can do the helpful things, say the kind words, meet our difficulties with courage and high hearts, stand up for the right when the cost is high, keep our word even though it means sacrifice, be a giver instead of a destroyer. Often this quiet, humble heroism is the greatest heroism of all.
Wilferd PetersonRead
The threat is generally more terrifying than the thing itself.
Saul AlinskyRead
Who would have thought it would be possible to run across Canada on one leg, eh? I wanted to try the impossible and show that it could be done.
Terry FoxRead
Seems to me-" Lee said, feeling for the words, "seems to me the place you fight cruelty is where you find it, and the place you give help is where you see it needed.
Philip PullmanRead
Being able to turn to Jesus after the shark attack kept me alive.
Bethany HamiltonRead