I saw the gooseflesh on my skin. I did not know what made it. I was not cold. Had a ghost passed over? No, it was the poetry. A spark flew off Arnold and shook me, like a chill. I wanted to cry; I felt very odd. I had fallen into a new way of being happy.
The narrator experiences a profound and unsettling emotion that manifests physically as gooseflesh, indicating a powerful reaction to poetry. Despite not feeling cold, the sensation suggests a deeper, perhaps spiritual impact. The mention of a "spark" from Arnold signifies a sudden inspiration or revelation that elicits a desire to cry, illustrating the intensity of the moment and the emotional depth found in poetic expression.
This moment leads to a transformation in the narrator's perspective on happiness, suggesting that true joy can arise from unexpected experiences. The encounter with poetry introduces a new state of being, characterized by heightened sensitivity and awareness. Through Plath's words, we see how art can evoke strong feelings and provoke reflection on one's emotional landscape.
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Other quotes in Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams: Short Stories, Prose and Diary Excerpts
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
