The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Life, Consciousness, and Existence Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"There are those who know and those who don't know. And for every ten thousand who don't know there's only one who knows. That's the miracle of all time – the fact that these millions know so much but don't know this." (1.2.79)

There you have it, readers: Jake's life philosophy boiled down into the knows and know-nots. Of course, we can't help but point out the irony here; while Jake rails against elitism, his world-view sets up a new class of elites – the ones who know.

Quote #2

But all the time – no matter what she was doing – there was music. Sometimes she hummed to herself as she walked, and other times she listened quietly to the songs inside her. There were all kinds of music in her thoughts. (2.1.5)

Mick's entire world is music. It seeps into what she does, what she thinks, maybe even how she thinks. Her very consciousness is musical.

Quote #3

All of his life he knew that there was a reason for his working. He always knew that he was meant to teach his people. All day he would go with his bag from house to house and on all things he would talk to them. (1.5.55)

Copeland defines his entire life by his work and his purpose, and he considers that purpose his destiny. He fulfills that destiny by talking to his people as he makes his doctor rounds. But we can't help but wonder if anyone's even listening.