When it came night, the white waves paced to and fro in the moonlight, and the wind brought the sound of the great sea's voice to the men on shore, and they felt that they could then be interpreters.
Stephen CraneRead
Two or three angels Came near to the earth. They saw a fat church. Little black streams of people Came and went in continually. And the angels were puzzled To know why the people went thus, And why they stayed so long within.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the nature of human behavior and the pursuit of meaning within a seemingly mundane existence.
In this passage, Stephen Crane portrays a scene observed by angels who are intrigued by the actions of people as they gather at a church. The 'fat church' symbolizes the center of human belief and community, yet the angels' confusion about the purpose of the people's attendance suggests a deeper philosophical inquiry into the motivations behind human rituals and the search for understanding in a complex world. The imagery highlights the contrast between divine beings and human lives, prompting readers to reflect on their own reasons for seeking spiritual fulfillment.
Themes
AngelsChurchHuman BehaviorMeaningSpirituality
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the role of faith in modern society.
More from Stephen Crane
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Stephen CraneRead
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