There is still one of which you never speak.'Marco Polo bowed his head.'Venice,' the Khan said.Marco smiled. 'What else do you believe I have been talking to you about?'The emperor did not turn a hair. 'And yet I have never heard you mention that name.'And Polo said: 'Every time I describe a city I am saying something about Venice.
In the conversation between Marco Polo and the Khan, the emperor highlights a significant city that Polo has not directly named: Venice. This exchange reflects the deep connection Polo feels towards his homeland, suggesting that even when not explicitly mentioned, Venice permeates his narratives about other places. The absence of Venice in name does not diminish its influence in his stories.
Polo's subtle assertion that each description of a city inherently relates back to Venice illustrates the idea that personal experiences and origins shape one's perceptions of the world. Thus, through his tales, Polo conveys the essence of Venice, hinting that it is an integral part of his identity and storytelling, even when he omits it from direct mention.