I never saw a man who looked With such a wistful eye Upon that little tent of blue Which prisoners call the sky.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker sees a wistful gaze toward the sky, likening it to a small tent that prisoners call home.
- In plain terms
- A hopeful look at the sky feels like a tiny, confined home for prisoners.
- What can you take from it?
- Even limited freedom can feel like a prison when hope is scarce.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does the sky represent for you?
- How can a small freedom become meaningful?
Another view
The metaphor may be overly poetic for practical insight.
More from Oscar Wilde
In the old days men had the rack. Now they have the Press.
Permalink to quote #204 When a voice behind me whispered low, 'That fellow's got to swing.'
Permalink to quote #206 The only thing that one really knows about human nature is that it changes. Change is the one quality we can predicate of it.
Permalink to quote #203
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