“So if hunger provokes wailing and wailing brings the breast; if the breast permits sucking and milk suggests its swallow; if swallowing issues in sleep and stomachy comfort, then need, ache, message, object, act, and satisfaction are soon associated like charms on a chain; shortly our wants begin to envision the things which well reduce them, and the organism is finally said to wish.” IfsWantNeedsWellsSaidDesireWishSleepIssuesObjectsComfortMessagesHungerSatisfactionChainsCharmBreastsPermitMilkProvokingOrganismsAcheInfancySwallowingWailing Author:William H. Gass
“In general, I would think that at present prose writers are much in advance of the poets. In the old days, I read more poetry than prose, but now it is in prose where you find things being put together well, where there is great ambition, and equal talent. Poets have gotten so careless, it is a disgrace. You can’t pick up a page. All the words slide off.” ThinkingWellsTogetherTalentPoetEqualAmbitionPagesPicksProseSlidesDisgraceCarelessOld DaysGreat Ambition Author:William H. Gass
“I get very tense working, so I often have to get up and wander around the house. It is very bad on my stomach. I have to be mad to be working well anyway, and then I am mad about the way things are going on the page in addition. My ulcer flourishes and I have to chew lots of pills. When my work is going well, I am usually sort of sick.” WayWellsHousePagesSickMadGet UpWanderStomachPillsTenseUlcers Book:Conversations with William H. Gass Source: Conversations with William H. Gass
“The things that stayed were things that didn't matter except they stayed, night and day, all seasons the same, and were peaceful to a fault and boded no ill but thought well enough of themselves to repeat their presences.” WellsMatterEnoughNightSeasonsFaultsIllPeacefulRepeats Author:William H. Gass
