Literary notes about Quay (AI summary)
The word “quay” has been employed by authors as a multifaceted setting—a liminal space where transition, social interaction, and the everyday blend into an atmosphere charged with both mystery and movement. In many works, it serves as a picturesque locale for casual meetings and meals, as seen in Chekhov’s gentle portrayals ([1], [2]), while in adventure narratives by Dumas and Verne ([3], [4], [5], [6], [7]) it becomes the stage for transformational journeys and dramatic encounters. James Joyce, in particular, uses the quay repeatedly to evoke both urban energy and introspection ([8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]), positioning it as a symbolic gateway between worlds. Across these varied depictions, the quay emerges not just as a physical structure but as a dynamic narrative device, capturing the pulse of social and transitional life.
- Then every afternoon they met on the quay, and lunched together, dined, walked, enjoyed the sea.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - The orderly was standing on the quay with the two portmanteaus, and at a little distance stood four boatmen.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - I had gone on the quay to match a piece of mulberry cloth, when I met friend Danglars.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - He proceeded towards the quay by the Rue Saint-Laurent, and advanced to the Consigne; it was the point where he had embarked.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - The steamer lay puffing alongside the quay, on the point of starting.
— from Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne - They advanced towards a boat, which a custom-house officer held by a chain, near the quay.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - The Carnatic anchored at the quay near the custom-house, in the midst of a crowd of ships bearing the flags of all nations.
— from Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne - When we landed we watched the discharging of the graceful threemaster which we had observed from the other quay.
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - He looked with vague hope up and down the quay, a big apple bulging in his neck.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce - People, perhaps, were standing in the snow on the quay outside, gazing up at the lighted windows and listening to the waltz music.
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - Through the wide doors of the sheds she caught a glimpse of the black mass of the boat, lying in beside the quay wall, with illumined portholes.
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - “O, it’s only two steps up the quay.”
— from Dubliners by James Joyce - By lorries along sir John Rogerson’s quay Mr Bloom walked soberly, past Windmill lane, Leask’s the linseed crusher, the postal telegraph office.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce - A frowsy whore with black straw sailor hat askew came glazily in the day along the quay towards Mr Bloom.
— from Ulysses by James Joyce
