A society that doesn't know any longer how to observe every death with proper rituals, that does not know that death is not the end, but only part of the journey, has lost its way, has had the very heart of its humanity torn out.
Marina WarnerRead
Wonder has no opposite; it springs up already doubled in itself, compounded of dread and desire at once, attraction and recoil, producing a thrill, the shudder of pleasure and of fear.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Wonder encompasses both attraction and fear, creating a complex emotional response.
In this quote, Marina Warner reflects on the nature of wonder, suggesting that it is a multifaceted experience that embodies both excitement and apprehension. The dual feelings of dread and desire intertwined within wonder highlight how it can simultaneously draw us in and push us away, showcasing the exhilarating yet frightening aspects of human emotion.
Themes
WonderEmotionDesireFearThrill
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on the complexity of human emotions, one might reference this quote to illustrate how wonder can elicit mixed feelings.
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