“Want is a kind of thief. It’s a door in your heart, and once you know it’s there, you’ll spend your life longing for whatever’s behind it.”
In this evocative quote, the narrator poetically captures the essence of desire and its transformative impact on one's emotional landscape. Describing want as a "kind of thief" suggests that the yearning for something, whether it be a person, an experience, or a particular state of being has the power to subtly steal away a piece of the heart. The metaphorical "door in your heart" symbolizes the entrance to unfulfilled desires, implying that once opened, this door becomes a persistent presence in one's life. This idea encapsulates the universal human experience of yearning for something unattainable, resonating with the bittersweet nature of desire and the emotional journey it entails.
“I understood then, the immense honor it is to hurt like she does. To have loved someone so much that the taste of maple syrup can make you cry and laugh at the same time.”
In this quote, the narrator reflects on the profound emotional depth experienced by Gloria, the mother of the narrator's partner Wyn. The phrase "immense honor" suggests that the depth of Gloria's pain is not seen as a burden but rather as a testament to the depth of her love for her late husband Hank. The juxtaposition of crying and laughing, triggered by the taste of maple syrup, conveys the complex and layered nature of her grief. This insight leads the narrator to appreciate the depth of Gloria's emotional experience, recognizing the honor in having loved so deeply that even the simplest pleasures become a simultaneous source of joy and sorrow.
"There doesn’t need to be a winner and a loser. You just have to care how the other person feels. You have to care more about them than you do about being right.”
Wyn articulates a profound perspective on conflict resolution within a relationship. He suggests that a healthy and successful partnership doesn't hinge on one person emerging as the victor while the other succumbs as the loser in disagreements. Instead, Wyn emphasizes the importance of empathy and prioritizing the feelings of the other person over a relentless pursuit of being proven right. By urging his partner, Harriet, to prioritize understanding and compassion over the need to assert correctness, Wyn is advocating for a more harmonious and mutually supportive connection.
“I want my life to be like-like making pottery. I want to enjoy it while it's happening, not just for where it might get me eventually.”
In this quote, Harriet articulates a profound desire for a fulfilling and meaningful life. The metaphor of making pottery serves as a powerful symbol for her aspirations. Pottery is a process that requires careful attention, creativity, and engagement with the present moment. Harriet yearns for a life that mirrors this artistic endeavor where she can savor each experience, finding joy and fulfillment in the journey itself rather than being solely focused on distant goals. The analogy suggests a desire for authenticity, personal satisfaction, and a departure from the relentless pursuit of success for its own sake.
