I know the colour rose, and it is lovely, But not when it ripens in a tumour.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Abse contrasts the beauty of the rose colour with its association with illness, showing how context changes perception.
- In plain terms
- Rose colour is lovely until it is linked to sickness.
- What can you take from it?
- Beauty can be tainted by negative context or association.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does context change beauty?
- What makes something lovely?
Another view
The contrast is highly specific to medical imagery and may not apply broadly.
More from Dannie Abse
Praying is another way of singing. You plant in the tree the soul of lemons. You plant in the gardens the spirit of roses.
Permalink to quote #1 Leave my soul alone, leave my soul alone
Permalink to quote #3 And silence matched the silence under snow.
Permalink to quote #4
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