Quotes from Joyce Carol Oates

Darwin- I think the theory is: out of 'chaos' arises something that resembles 'design'. But it's all random.

The politics of the day infuriated him: even when power lay with the politicians he supported, and the opposition appeared to be failing, so much in the political sphere seemed to him vile, vulgar, meretricious, inane—he threatened that he wouldn't be voting at all. The

Faith' and 'science' inhabit totally different spheres, and do not overlap, even to share the same vocabulary.

you've glanced at me, and through me, dear Dr. K——, upon more than one recent occasion, no more recognizing your Angel than you would have recognized a plate heaped with food you'd devoured twenty-three years ago with a zestful appetite

Moving your asshole-mouth & YES SIR I am saying NO MA'AM I am saying.

There is a carpet, or a strip of something, that I am walking on...and it is being rolled up behind me. So that there is only the strip I am walking on, with nothing in front or behind me. Sometimes, I am so very tired - but there is no place to rest.

stroke recently. A friend at least a decade

Truth must evolve'—how very convenient for liars.

the poor child there for hours (for he had the reptilian patience of an adult to whom time possesses no value except in proportion to what it might reveal, what meager nugget of truth it might suddenly cast up)

Mom's new husband was eleven years older than Mom. He had been Mom's boss at the Buick dealership where she'd worked until they were married, and you could see that he was still Mom's boss—the way he spoke to her, not exactly giving orders, never forgetting to say Please but in a tone of voice that meant there was no negotiating. Of

its somewhat austere and even forbidding limestone exterior

Alone, alone! Long she would recall the strangeness of the word, an echo aerated by melancholy vowels—alone. AT

yet the greening grasses and overarching elms and oaks, just beginning to come into leaf, gave the scene a picturesque air, like a fairy-tale dwelling;

A dog's life is a speeded-up version of your own. After a while, you can hardly bear to be a witness.

I am the presence standing here at this juncture of Time & Space—who else? & that night in my sand-colored 1987 Ford van with the American flag decal covering the rear window cruising Cedar Street, Dale Springs & parked in shadow & with my binoculars trained to the mostly shaded or darkened windows I thought, If this is where I am this is who I am. & so it was.

she'd studied herself in mirrors half her life in despair and hope knowing it's power you need, oh, Jesus, power; if you're beautiful you'll have it over other people, over men, you'll be loved, desired, never have to die.

his liver was enlarged and rode across the small of his back like a hard-rubbery leech

He said oh honey. how long have you known? Meaning, how long have you been alone, knowing?

You make careful plans, and 'chance' seems to favor you. Things go your way that look to a neutral observer like luck. But it's luck you've engineered.

Being a young man confirmed in the Presbyterian faith, in the very bedrock of Protestant Christian faith, Josiah understands that his behavior is reckless, and dangerous; it is surely not Christian. Yet, his Slade and Strachan ancestors would cheer for him, if they knew.

The curiosity of the book was that,as you held it,and "read" it, you felt an intimate connection with it as with a living thing,which you did not feel with an eBook; as soon as you were finished with the eBook,you stored it,or deleted it;you felt no sentiment or particular ownership. You could not see it on a shelf or a table,you could not admire its design. In effect,it had been Deleted.

This web of intricate connections

It is that time he cannot realize—he is still alive. He is laughing and his face is bright-glaring with happiness because he is alive and cannot imagine any time when he will be not-alive for (it is said) no animal can comprehend its own death.

Keeping busy" is the remedy for all ills in America. It's also the means by which the creative impulse is destroyed.