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

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

Quote #4

Wonderful music like this was the worst hurt there could be. The whole world was this symphony and there was not enough of her to listen. (2.1.131)

For Mick, music is way more than just notes. It's the whole world. But that world, this symphony causes her pain. Why do you think that is? How can something wonderful hurt? Have you ever felt like this?

Quote #5

Because in some men it is in them to give up everything personal at some time, before it ferments and poisons – throw it to some human being or some human idea. They have to. [...] And if he believed it hard enough maybe it was so. Every person and every thing he said he was – (1.2.146)

Biff is discussing how Jake shouted that he was all the races of the world at the New York Cafe. Despite the fact that Jake was in a drunken frenzy at the time, Biff thinks he may have been on to something. If a person believes strongly enough that they are something, who's to say that he isn't that thing?

Quote #6

But he could not rest. For there was another thing bigger than the tiredness – and this was the strong true purpose. (2.3.38)

That sounds nice and all, but we're wondering just what Copeland's purpose is. He certainly doesn't seem fulfilled by it by the end of the novel. Nope, he just seems bone tired.