Waiting. Simply one person doing nothing, over time, while another approached.
Ian McEwan Atonement
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The quote highlights the concept of waiting as a passive experience where one individual remains in a state of inaction while another person gradually moves closer. This dynamic suggests a sense of anticipation and longing that can accompany waiting, emphasizing the emotional weight it carries for the one who is waiting. It represents a metaphor for patience and the hope that accompanies the desire for connection or resolution.

In the context of Ian McEwan's "Atonement," this notion of waiting can resonate with the characters' experiences and the consequences of their actions. It reflects the internal struggles and the broader themes of time, love, and regret that pervade the narrative, illustrating how waiting can shape relationships and influence outcomes in profound ways.

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waiting
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Atonement
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Ian McEwan
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February 22, 2025
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Other quotes in Atonement

This unreal feeling was heightened when, after half an hour, she reached another High Street, more or less the same as the one she had left behind. That was all London was beyond its center, an agglomeration of dull little towns. She made a resolution never to live in any of them.
Ian McEwan Atonement
This unreal feeling was heightened when, after half an hour, she reached another High Street, more or less the same as the one she had left behind. That was all London was beyond its center, an agglomeration of dull little towns. She made a resolution never to live in any of them.
Despite his first, the study of English literature seemed in retrospect an absorbing parlor game, and reading books and having opinions about them, the desirable adjunct to a civilized existence. But it was not the core, whatever Dr. Leavis said in his lectures.
Ian McEwan Atonement
Despite his first, the study of English literature seemed in retrospect an absorbing parlor game, and reading books and having opinions about them, the desirable adjunct to a civilized existence. But it was not the core, whatever Dr. Leavis said in his lectures.
She was weary of being outdoors, but she was not ready to go in. Was that really all there was in life, indoors or out? Wasn't there somewhere else for people to go?
Ian McEwan Atonement
She was weary of being outdoors, but she was not ready to go in. Was that really all there was in life, indoors or out? Wasn't there somewhere else for people to go?
When the wounded were screaming, you dreamed of sharing a little house somewhere, of an ordinary life, of a family line, connection. All around him, men were walking silently with their thoughts, reforming their lives, making resolutions. If I ever get out of this lot... They could never be counted, the dreamed-up children, mentally conceived on the walk into Dunkirk, and later made flesh.
Ian McEwan Atonement
When the wounded were screaming, you dreamed of sharing a little house somewhere, of an ordinary life, of a family line, connection. All around him, men were walking silently with their thoughts, reforming their lives, making resolutions. If I ever get out of this lot... They could never be counted, the dreamed-up children, mentally conceived on the walk into Dunkirk, and later made flesh.
Everything that impeded him had to be outweighed, even if only by a fraction, by all that drove him on.
Ian McEwan Atonement
Everything that impeded him had to be outweighed, even if only by a fraction, by all that drove him on.
She left the cafe, and as she walked along the Common she felt the distance widen between her and another self, no less real, who was walking back toward the hospital. Perhaps the Briony who was walking in the direction of Balham was the imagined or ghostly persona. This unreal feeling was heightened when, after half an hour, she reached another High Street, more or less the same as the one she had left behind. That was all London was beyond its center, an agglomeration of dull little towns. She made a resolution never to live in any of them.
Ian McEwan Atonement
She left the cafe, and as she walked along the Common she felt the distance widen between her and another self, no less real, who was walking back toward the hospital. Perhaps the Briony who was walking in the direction of Balham was the imagined or ghostly persona. This unreal feeling was heightened when, after half an hour, she reached another High Street, more or less the same as the one she had left behind. That was all London was beyond its center, an agglomeration of dull little towns. She made a resolution never to live in any of them.
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Other quotes in waiting

Lucky's monologue: {...}the strides of physical culture the practice of sports such as tennis football running cycling swimming flying floating riding gliding conating camogie skating tennis of all kinds dying flying sports of all sorts autumn summer winter winter tennis of all kinds hockey of all sorts peniciline and succedanea in a word{...}
Samuel Beckett Waiting for Godot
Lucky's monologue: {...}the strides of physical culture the practice of sports such as tennis football running cycling swimming flying floating riding gliding conating camogie skating tennis of all kinds dying flying sports of all sorts autumn summer winter winter tennis of all kinds hockey of all sorts peniciline and succedanea in a word{...}
E: Well, shall we go?V: Yes, let's go.{They do not move}
Samuel Beckett Waiting for Godot
E: Well, shall we go?V: Yes, let's go.{They do not move}
V has finally learned that sitting calm within herself and waiting is often the best choice. And even when it's not, those around you become uncomfortable because they think you are wise.
Charles Frazier Varina
V has finally learned that sitting calm within herself and waiting is often the best choice. And even when it's not, those around you become uncomfortable because they think you are wise.
For a long time, she held a special place in my heart. I kept this special place just for her, like a "Reserved" sign on a quiet corner table in a restaurant. Despite the fact that I was sure I'd never see her again.
Haruki Murakami South of the Border, West...
For a long time, she held a special place in my heart. I kept this special place just for her, like a "Reserved" sign on a quiet corner table in a restaurant. Despite the fact that I was sure I'd never see her again.
For a while is a phrase whose length can't be measured.At least by the person who's waiting.
Haruki Murakami South of the Border, West...
For a while is a phrase whose length can't be measured.At least by the person who's waiting.
No more bells ringing in the middle of the afternoon demolishing the rest of the day. No more waiting for the situation to change.
Jhumpa Lahiri Unaccustomed Earth
No more bells ringing in the middle of the afternoon demolishing the rest of the day. No more waiting for the situation to change.
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