quotes on love

Question 1

quote on love

Answer 1

‘As he spoke, he took a swift glance about the conservatory, assured himself of their momentary privacy, and catching her to him laid a fugitive pressure on her lips.’ (chapter 2)

This quote is Archer in one of his most cynical moments. May is not at all his intellectual equal, and he wonders whether the fact that she is a ‘good catch’ is enough for him

Question 2

quote on love(flowers)

Answer 2

‘But they did not look like her — there was something too rich, too strong, in their fiery beauty.’(chapter 9)

While Newland sends May virginal white lilies-of-the-valley, he sends “fiery” yellow roses to Madame Olenska. The contrast in flowers says all you need to know about where Newland’s heart really lies.

Question 3

quote on love(Kentucky cave fish)

Answer 3

‘[..]the much-cited instance of the Kentucky cave-fish, which had ceased to develop eyes because they had no use for them. What if, when he had bidden May Welland to open hers, they could only look out blankly on blankness?’ (chapter 10)

Question 4

quote on love (velvet ribbon)

Answer 4

‘then he stole back, lifted one of the ends of velvet ribbon, kissed it, and left the room without her hearing him or changing her attitude.’(chapter 13)

So many passionate scenes from the theater. This scene is Newland’s favorite, and you can see why: it is discreet and passionate at the same time(like him and Ellen) Newland also has a creepy penchant for kissing inanimate objects; what a freak.

Question 5

quote on love( the publicity, the scandal?)

Answer 5

“Isn’t it you who made me give up divorcing— give it up because you showed me how selfish and wicked it was, how one must sacrifice one’s self to preserve the dignity of marriage … and to spare one’s family the publicity, the scandal? […] (chapter 18)

Madame Olenska reminds Newland of his advice to her not to divorce— painful, because that was Newland before he realized how much he loved her. Now they’re stuck with the consequences.

Question 6

quote on love (all over again)

Answer 6

“I mean: how shall I explain? I— it’s always so. Each time you happen to me all over again.” (29.14)

Contrast Newland’s reaction to Madame Olenska here to his reaction to May, who perpetually bores him.

Question 7

quote on love (earth)

Answer 7

to get away with you into a world where words like that— categories like that— won’t exist.[..] and nothing else on earth will matter.” (chapter 29)
this does not exist for them

Question 8

quote on love (honeymoon)

Answer 8

He was weary of living in a perpetual tepid honeymoon, without the temperature of passion yet with all its actions. (chapter 30)

Contrast Newland and May’s “tepid honeymoon” to Newland and Madame Olenska’s relationship. While Newland and May see each other every day, Newland and Madame Olenska only see each other once in a long while.

Question 9

quote on love (new generation)

Answer 9

‘she’s different— and one doesn’t know why. It’s exactly what I feel about Fanny.” (chapter 34)