the child would ask him questions about the world that for him was not even a memory. He thought hard how to answer. There is no past.
Cormac McCarthy Cities of the Plain
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In "Cities of the Plain," Cormac McCarthy explores the theme of memory and the passage of time through the interactions between a child and an adult. The adult grapples with the challenge of responding to a child’s innocent questions about a world that seems distant or nonexistent to him. This reveals a deep reflection on the nature of memory and existence, suggesting that one's past can fade to the point of becoming irrelevant or forgotten.

The adult’s struggle to answer the child's inquiries highlights the complexity of understanding one's own life experiences. It underscores the idea that the past may not always remain accessible, influencing how individuals connect with the present and the future. This interaction serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life and the enduring questions that arise from our existence.

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Cities of the Plain
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Cormac McCarthy
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Other quotes in Cities of the Plain

It just sounds like superstition to me.And what is that?Superstition?Yes.Well. I guess it's when you believe in things that dont exist.Such as tomorrow? Or yesterday?Such as the dreams of somebody you dreamt. Yesterday was here and tomorrow's comin.
Cormac McCarthy Cities of the Plain
It just sounds like superstition to me.And what is that?Superstition?Yes.Well. I guess it's when you believe in things that dont exist.Such as tomorrow? Or yesterday?Such as the dreams of somebody you dreamt. Yesterday was here and tomorrow's comin.
The drought didnt know when the last one was and nobody knew when the next one was coming.
Cormac McCarthy Cities of the Plain
The drought didnt know when the last one was and nobody knew when the next one was coming.
He leaned forward and began to count off on the fingers of the hand that held the cigarette: She aint American. She aint a citizen. She dont speak english. She works in a whorehouse. No, hear me out. And last but not least-he sat holding his thumb-there's a son of a bitch owns her outright that I guarangoddamntee you will kill you graveyard dead if you mess with him. Son, aint there no girls on this side of the damn river? Not like her. Well I'll bet that's the truth if you ever told it.
Cormac McCarthy Cities of the Plain
He leaned forward and began to count off on the fingers of the hand that held the cigarette: She aint American. She aint a citizen. She dont speak english. She works in a whorehouse. No, hear me out. And last but not least-he sat holding his thumb-there's a son of a bitch owns her outright that I guarangoddamntee you will kill you graveyard dead if you mess with him. Son, aint there no girls on this side of the damn river? Not like her. Well I'll bet that's the truth if you ever told it.
When the Papayuna is pining you need to call home.
Cormac McCarthy Cities of the Plain
When the Papayuna is pining you need to call home.
Anyway, sharing is the law of the road, right?
Cormac McCarthy Cities of the Plain
Anyway, sharing is the law of the road, right?
There are a lot of things that seem more beautiful, seen from afar. Yes? At least so I think. And you're right. Past life, for example. Already. And maybe even life not yet lived.
Cormac McCarthy Cities of the Plain
There are a lot of things that seem more beautiful, seen from afar. Yes? At least so I think. And you're right. Past life, for example. Already. And maybe even life not yet lived.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
{...} what I wish for Chizalum is the following: that she is full of opinions, and that her opinions stem from a well-informed, humane, and open mind. That she have health and happiness. That she have the life she wants to have.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Dear Ijeawele, or A...
{...} what I wish for Chizalum is the following: that she is full of opinions, and that her opinions stem from a well-informed, humane, and open mind. That she have health and happiness. That she have the life she wants to have.
«In memory of the countless men and women of all creeds, nations, and races who fell victim to the fascist and communist belief in the Inexorable Laws of Historical Destiny.»
Mario Vargas Llosa The call of the tribe
«In memory of the countless men and women of all creeds, nations, and races who fell victim to the fascist and communist belief in the Inexorable Laws of Historical Destiny.»
"That's a huge gamble." "We're long past the time for careful certainty."
Peter F. Hamilton The Evolutionary Void
"That's a huge gamble." "We're long past the time for careful certainty."
When had it become so ingrained in her to apologize whenever she wanted something for herself?
Robin Hobb The Rain Wilds...
When had it become so ingrained in her to apologize whenever she wanted something for herself?
Relationships and marriages are hard enough, but you add war into the mix and small fissures become gaping wounds. No one sees what you're seeing - again that clear-eyed, unbiased thing - except your fellow soldiers. It's like one of those movies where only the hero can see the ghosts and everyone else thinks the hero is crazy.
Harlan Coben Fool Me Once
Relationships and marriages are hard enough, but you add war into the mix and small fissures become gaping wounds. No one sees what you're seeing - again that clear-eyed, unbiased thing - except your fellow soldiers. It's like one of those movies where only the hero can see the ghosts and everyone else thinks the hero is crazy.
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