There are people, primarily women!--who are what I call 'conduits of emotion.' In their company, the half dead can come alive. They need not be beautiful women or girls. It's a matter of blood warmth. The integrity of the spirit." He turned the page of his sketch pad and began anew, whistling thinly through his teeth."Thus an icy-cold soul, in the presence of one so blessed, can regain something of his lost self. Sometimes!
The excerpt from Joyce Carol Oates' "Small Avalanches and Other Stories" highlights the extraordinary ability of certain individuals, particularly women, to evoke deep emotional responses in others. These 'conduits of emotion' possess a warmth that can breathe life back into those who feel emotionally numb or disconnected. Their effect is not dependent on physical beauty but instead stems from the inherent integrity and vitality of their spirit.
The passage suggests that...
