In apartments and cottages, on the street and in the train... I listen... More and more, I turn into one large ear, always turning to another person.
Svetlana AlexievichRead
Why do I write? I have been called a writer of catastrophes, but that isn't true. I am always looking for words of love. Hate will not save us. Only love.
Interpretation
The essence of writing lies in the exploration and expression of love, rather than despair or hatred.
In this quote, Svetlana Alexievich emphasizes the transformative power of love in writing and life. While she has been labeled a writer of catastrophes, she clarifies that her true intent is to seek and convey messages of love, suggesting that love is a fundamental solution to the challenges we face, and that negativity and hate will not lead to salvation or resolution.
In practice
During a speech on the importance of literature, one might refer to this quote to highlight the role of love in human expression.
In apartments and cottages, on the street and in the train... I listen... More and more, I turn into one large ear, always turning to another person.
The subjects I wanted to write about - the mystery of the human soul, evil - didn't interest newspapers, and news reporting bored me.
'Women's' war has its own colors, its own smells, its own lighting, and its own range of feelings. There are no heroes and incredible feats; there are simply people who are busy doing inhumanly human things.
There is no need to give in to the compromise that totalitarian regimes always count on.
I've been searching for a genre that would be most adequate to my vision of the world to convey how my ear hears and my eyes see life. I tried this and that, and finally, I chose a genre where human voices speak for themselves. But I don't just record a dry history of events and facts; I'm writing a history of human feelings.
From the point of view of art, the butcher and the victim are equal as people. You need to see the people.
I don't want learning, or dignity, or respectability. I want this music, and this dawn, and the warmth of your cheek against mine.
I am bewildered by the magnificence of your beauty; and wish to see you with a hundred eyes . . . I am in the house of mercy, and my heart is a place of prayer.
God is well pleased when all our actions proceed from love, love to Himself, and love to immortal souls.
I met this girl when I was ten years old,_x000D_ _x000D_ And what I loved most she had so much soul._x000D_ _x000D_ She was old school, when I was just a shorty_x000D_ _x000D_ Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me.
In the silence of our hearts, God speaks of His love; with our silence, we allow Jesus to love us.
She rested her head against his and felt, for the first time, what she would often feel with him: a self-affection. He made her like herself. With him, she was at ease; her skin felt as though it was her right size.. It seemed so natural, to talk to him about odd things. She had never done that before. The trust, so sudden and yet so complete, and the intimacy, frightened her.. But now she could think only of all the things she yet wanted to tell him, wanted to do with him.
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