I'm very American in the sense of being an explorer. America is filled with people who are interested in exploring landscapes, either external or internal. A westward nation of explorers. Joyce Carol Oates More Quotes by Joyce Carol Oates More Quotes From Joyce Carol Oates What is a family, after all, except memories? Haphazard and precious as the contents of a catch-all drawer in the kitchen. Joyce Carol Oates kitchen family memories How mysterious it is, to be in love. For you can be in love with one who knows nothing of you. Perhpas our greatest happinesses spring from such longings-being in love with one who is oblivious of you. Joyce Carol Oates being-in-love mysterious spring It's one of those secrets that's embarrassing to acknowledge, but we do love our students. Joyce Carol Oates embarrassing students secret The despairing soul is a rebel. Joyce Carol Oates rebel rebellion soul Like all virtuous people he imagines he must speak the truth. Joyce Carol Oates speak truth people It must happen to everyone. The last time you make love, you can't know it will be the last. Joyce Carol Oates broken-heart making-love love-you The regional voice is the universal voice. Joyce Carol Oates universal voice When a marriage ends, who is left to understand it? Joyce Carol Oates left ends I don't read for amusement, I read for enlightenment. I do a lot of reviewing, so I have a steady assignment of reading. I'm also a judge for the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, which gives awards to literature and nonfiction. Joyce Carol Oates awards reading book A writer’s life is in his work, and that is the place to find him. Joyce Carol Oates life-is In no other sport is the connection between performer and observer so intimate, so frequently painful, so unresolved Joyce Carol Oates connections boxing sports I think whenever we think of our hometowns, we tend to think of very specific people: with whom you rode on the school bus, who was your next door neighbor you were playing with, who your girlfriend was. It's always something very specific. Joyce Carol Oates girlfriend school thinking The innocence of such children doesn't answer our deepest questions about this vale of tears to which we are condemned, but it helps to dispel them. That is the secret to family life. Joyce Carol Oates tears secret children Tragedy is the highest form of art. Joyce Carol Oates form tragedy art I think it's very important for writers and artists generally to be witnesses to the world, and to be transparent. To let other people speak... to travel... to experience the world. And memorialize it. Joyce Carol Oates artist people thinking Impossible not to imagine the dead observing us. Our love for them a soft, shimmering gossamar that trails behind us. Joyce Carol Oates our-love imagine impossible The mysteries of the female sex! We men can never hope to fathom your depths, but only try not to drown in them. Joyce Carol Oates trying men sex It's a taboo subject. How the dead are betrayed by the living. We who are living--we who have survived--understand that our guilt is what links us to the dead. At all times we can hear them calling to us, a growing incredulity in their voices, You will not forget me -- will you? How can you forget me? I have no one but you. Joyce Carol Oates voice guilt calling And so you must grant to God what is God and not try to think of what you have lost, for that way is madness. Joyce Carol Oates trying way thinking When people say there is too much violence in my books, what they are saying is there is too much reality in life. Joyce Carol Oates book reality people
