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Her eyes were enlarged and faded with discovering what, by common human agreement, is better undivulged.
Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus
by Shirley Hazzard
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In "The Transit of Venus," Shirley Hazzard explores themes of knowledge, discovery, and the complexities of human experience. The character's eyes reflect the burden of newfound understanding, emphasizing how some truths are better left unspoken. This notion highlights the tension between curiosity and the limitations of what one should reveal, suggesting that ignorance can sometimes provide comfort.

Hazzard's writing evokes a sense of melancholy and introspection, as characters grapple with deep emotional realizations. The enlarged, faded eyes symbolize a loss of innocence and the weight of knowledge that can change one’s perception of reality. This dual nature of understanding emphasizes the idea that while enlightenment can lead to growth, it can also bring significant challenges and burdens.

In "The Transit of Venus," Shirley Hazzard explores themes of knowledge, discovery, and the complexities of human experience. The character's eyes reflect the burden of newfound understanding, emphasizing how some truths are better left unspoken. This notion highlights the tension between curiosity and the limitations of what one should reveal, suggesting that ignorance can sometimes provide comfort.

Hazzard's writing evokes a sense of melancholy and introspection, as characters grapple with deep emotional realizations. The enlarged, faded eyes symbolize a loss of innocence and the weight of knowledge that can change one’s perception of reality. This dual nature of understanding emphasizes the idea that while enlightenment can lead to growth, it can also bring significant challenges and burdens.

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The Transit of Venus
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Other quotes in The Transit of Venus

That alas is the way it goes; Something we must rectify. Paul, not Caro, would interpret the degree of meaning in their respective lots. That had been decided, as he sat speaking intimately of his life to the person most excluded from it - in order to readmit her to the intimacy, though not the life.
Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus
That alas is the way it goes; Something we must rectify. Paul, not Caro, would interpret the degree of meaning in their respective lots. That had been decided, as he sat speaking intimately of his life to the person most excluded from it - in order to readmit her to the intimacy, though not the life.
She was coming to look on men and women as fellow survivors; well-dissemblers of their woes, who, with few signals of grief, had contained, assimilated, or just put to use their own destruction. Of those who had endured the worst, not all behaved nobly or consistently. But all, involuntarily, became part of a deeper assertion to life. Though the dissolution of love created no heroes, the process itself required some heroism. There was the risk that endurance might appear enough of an achievement. That risk had come up before.
Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus
She was coming to look on men and women as fellow survivors; well-dissemblers of their woes, who, with few signals of grief, had contained, assimilated, or just put to use their own destruction. Of those who had endured the worst, not all behaved nobly or consistently. But all, involuntarily, became part of a deeper assertion to life. Though the dissolution of love created no heroes, the process itself required some heroism. There was the risk that endurance might appear enough of an achievement. That risk had come up before.
Caro sat without speaking, turning toward him her look that was neither sullen nor expectant but soberly attentive; and, once, a glance in which tenderness and apprehension were great and indivisible, giving unbearable, excessive immediacy to the living of these moments. Paul had seen that look before, when they first lay down together at the inn beyond Avebury Circle.
Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus
Caro sat without speaking, turning toward him her look that was neither sullen nor expectant but soberly attentive; and, once, a glance in which tenderness and apprehension were great and indivisible, giving unbearable, excessive immediacy to the living of these moments. Paul had seen that look before, when they first lay down together at the inn beyond Avebury Circle.
Did you love Paul Ivory?""Yes.""I suppose it ended badly.""Yes.""You must have been very unhappy.""I died, and Adam resurrected me.
Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus
Did you love Paul Ivory?""Yes.""I suppose it ended badly.""Yes.""You must have been very unhappy.""I died, and Adam resurrected me.
I have never suffered greatly ... If you can reach fifty without a catastrophe, you've won. You've got away with it.
Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus
I have never suffered greatly ... If you can reach fifty without a catastrophe, you've won. You've got away with it.
I wasn't convinced a shop girl would know the word 'Oedipal.
Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus
I wasn't convinced a shop girl would know the word 'Oedipal.
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They are afraid of him?' D'Harcourt raised his comedian's eyebrows. Danny Hislop's bright teeth flashed in his hairless, unremarkable face. 'If they were afraid, they'd tear him to pieces like schoolgirls. My guess is that he's gorgeous. A terrible tease and nasty at moments, but oh Maeve, he has such a way with him.… Is he gorgeous, dear Adam?' Adam Blacklock, thus addressed, said quietly, 'Undoubtedly gorgeous.
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They are afraid of him?' D'Harcourt raised his comedian's eyebrows. Danny Hislop's bright teeth flashed in his hairless, unremarkable face. 'If they were afraid, they'd tear him to pieces like schoolgirls. My guess is that he's gorgeous. A terrible tease and nasty at moments, but oh Maeve, he has such a way with him.… Is he gorgeous, dear Adam?' Adam Blacklock, thus addressed, said quietly, 'Undoubtedly gorgeous.
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