I sometimes think my vision of the sea is the clearest thing I own. I pick it up, exile that I am, like the purple 'lucky stones' I used to collect with a white ring all the way round, or the shell of a blue mussel with its rainbowy angel's fingernail interior; and in one wash of memory the colors deepen and gleam, the early world draws breath.
The quote from Sylvia Plath's "Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams" expresses a deep connection to her memories of the sea, which she perceives as a treasured clarity amidst her exile. Plath describes the sea as a collection of vivid experiences and feelings, much like the lucky stones and mussel shells she cherished. This imagery conveys the significance of personal memories and how they enrich her understanding of the world around her.
Furthermore, the reference to the early world "drawing breath" implies a sense of renewal or awakening through these recollections. The vivid colors and gleaming memories illustrate how Plath finds solace and clarity in her past, despite her feelings of displacement. The passage encapsulates the powerful emotions tied to memory and nature, showcasing how they can offer comfort and serve as a refuge for the mind and spirit.
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Other quotes in Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams: Short Stories, Prose and Diary Excerpts
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