"In the country the darkness of night is friendly and familiar, but in a city, with its blaze of lights, it is unnatural, hostile and menacing. It is like a monstrous vulture that hovers, biding its time"
- W. Somerset Maugham
About this Quote
The quote by W. Somerset Maugham reviews the plain contrast between the natural surroundings of the countryside and the artificiality of the city. The darkness of the night in the countryside is described as friendly and familiar due to the fact that it belongs of the natural world that is known and comprehended. On the other hand, the brightness of the city lights is seen as hostile and menacing, and they create an abnormal environment that is difficult to navigate. The metaphor of a monstrous vulture that hovers over the city, waiting to strike, emphasizes the fear and anxiousness that is connected with urban life. The quote suggests that the countryside is a more reassuring and safe place to be, whereas the city is a threatening and abnormal environment.
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