The Old Curiosity Shop Quotes
Shmoop will make you a better lover...of quotes
ALL QUOTES POPULAR BROWSE BY AUTHOR BROWSE BY SOURCE BROWSE BY TOPIC BROWSE BY SUBJECT
Source: The Old Curiosity Shop
Author: Charles Dickens
The sun himself is weak when he first rises, and gathers strength and courage as the day gets on.
Context
This line is from the novel The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens (1841).
On a walk with Barbara and her mother, Kit is a little dismayed that Barbara has a headache and her mother complains a lot. He gets a bit down on himself, feeling like he's going through the same motions day after day. But soon, their conversation picks up steam, brightens up, and it's like a brand new day is dawning—hence the sun imagery Kit uses, comparing their warming conversation to a rising sun.
Where you've heard it
You hear this from someone who hasn't yet had their first cup of coffee.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
This is a little pretentious, comparing yourself to the sun as if the universe revolves around you.