The quote from John Irving's "The Hotel New Hampshire" suggests that love, much like sorrow, has a buoyant quality. This idea indicates that love, despite its challenges, has the ability to uplift individuals, similar to how sorrow can also be an integral part of the human experience. Both emotions carry depth and complexity, highlighting the duality of life’s joys and sorrows.

By comparing love to sorrow, Irving implies that both feelings can coexist, affecting people profoundly. This relationship invites readers to reflect on how love can bring comfort and hardship, enriching the human condition. Ultimately, love's capacity to 'float' reinforces its significance, demonstrating that it has the power to elevate us even in difficult times.