“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”
- July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961
- American
- Novelist, poet, journalist
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954
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Quote
“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway reflects on the lasting impact of Paris on those who experience it, particularly during their youth. He describes Paris not just as a city, but as a “moveable feast”—a metaphor for how the memories, experiences, and creative energy of living in Paris stay with an individual throughout their life. Paris, especially during the 1920s, was a hub for artists, writers, and intellectuals, and for Hemingway, it was a formative place where he found inspiration and camaraderie with other great writers. The phrase “moveable feast” suggests that the joys, lessons, and inspirations of Paris are not confined to a specific time or place but are carried forward, enriching a person’s life and work wherever they go.
Hemingway’s time in Paris is often considered a critical period in his development as a writer, and it’s chronicled in his memoir A Moveable Feast. During his years in Paris, Hemingway was surrounded by the creative energy of other literary figures, like Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ezra Pound. This environment had a profound influence on his writing and his worldview, and the quote suggests that these experiences became an indelible part of him. Even after leaving Paris, the artistic vitality and spirit of the city stayed with him, influencing his work for the rest of his life.
In the modern context, this quote speaks to the transformative power of places and experiences in shaping who we are, especially during times of youth and growth. Whether it’s a city, a community, or a specific period of life, the places that influence us profoundly can continue to shape our thoughts, decisions, and creativity long after we leave them. Hemingway’s quote reminds us that certain places, like Paris for him, can be a source of inspiration and nourishment, offering a lasting influence that transcends time and location. It suggests that the memories and lessons we carry from key experiences can continue to feed and inspire us throughout our lives.
