I walked into a white city. It was a honeycomb of ivory-white cells, streets like ribbons of old ermine. The stone and mortar were mixed with sunlight, with musk and white cotton. I passed by streets of peace lying entangled like cotton spools...
In the excerpt from Anaïs Nin's "Under a Glass Bell," the author describes a mesmerizing city characterized by its pristine white structures, resembling a honeycomb of ivory cells. The imagery evokes a sense of purity and serenity, with streets compared to soft ribbons, contributing to the overall delicate and ethereal atmosphere of the place. The environment feels alive with elements like sunlight and scents, painting a vivid picture of an enchanting urban landscape.
Nin further enhances the scene by blending tactile and sensory details, making the streets appear peaceful and inviting. The metaphor of streets as entangled cotton spools suggests a sense of intertwining lives and experiences within this tranquil setting. The city symbolizes an idealized space, where beauty and harmony reside, reflecting the author's fascination with themes of serenity and imagination.
