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About this quote

What does it mean?
Joyce offers a poetic image of a night sky filled with stars that look like blue fruit.
In plain terms
The stars look like dark blue fruit hanging from trees.
What can you take from it?
Use sensory imagery to transform familiar views into fresh experiences.

Where it applies

  • poetic writing
  • nature observation
  • description

Putting it to work

  • create vivid imagery
  • refine observation skills

Questions to consider

  • How do you see the stars?
  • What images speak to you?

Another view

Abstract imagery may confuse readers seeking literal clarity.

More from James Joyce

  1. It soared, a bird, it held its flight, a swift pure cry, soar silver orb it leaped serene, speeding, sustained, to come, don't spin it out too long long breath…

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  2. Phall if you but will, rise you must: and none so soon either shall the pahrce for the nunce come to a setdown secular phoenish. (4.15-17)

    Permalink to quote #39
  3. History, Stephen said, is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake.

    Permalink to quote #36

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