Quote by Jonathan Franzen
An odd thing about beauty, however, is that it's absence tends not to arouse our sympathy as much as other forms of privation do.
Summary
This quote suggests that while the absence of beauty may not elicit the same sympathy or compassion as other forms of lack or deprivation, it is still perceived as odd or unusual. Society generally tends to rally around individuals in times of distress caused by physical, emotional, or material privation. However, the absence of beauty is often overlooked, perhaps because it is considered subjective or superficial in comparison to other hardships. This quote highlights the possibly lesser importance attributed to beauty, while also pointing out the peculiarity of this perspective.