Quote by Virginia Woolf

Again, somehow, one saw life, a pure bead. I lifted the pencil again, useless though I knew it to be. But even as I did so, the unmistakable tokens of death showed themselves. The body relaxed, and instantly grew stiff. The struggle was over. The insignificant little creature now knew death. As I looked at the dead moth, this minute wayside triumph of so great a force over so mean an antagonist filled me with wonder. Just as life had been strange a few minutes before, so death was now as strange.

Again, somehow, one saw life, a pure bead. I lifted the penc

Summary

This quote explores the contradictory and fascinating aspects of life and death through the observation of a dead moth. The speaker recognizes the insignificance of the moth in comparison to the great force that caused its demise. The sudden transformation from a struggling living creature to a motionless corpse fills the speaker with wonder and brings attention to the mysterious and enigmatic nature of both life and death. Through this reflection, the quote highlights the fragility and transient nature of existence, prompting contemplation about the broader complexities of the human experience.

Topics

Death

By Virginia Woolf

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