Hubert Selby Jr.’s “Requiem for a Dream” is a powerful, evocative and unsettling novel that delves into the lives of four individuals from New York whose addictions lead to their eventual downfall.
This raw and contemplative book is a must-read for anyone who appreciate poignant and challenging literature.
Here is a top collection of quotes from Requiem for a Dream novel.
Table of Contents
Requiem for a Dream Quotes by Hubert Selby Jr.
“No matter how beautiful the outside may be, the inside still has feelings and needs that just words don’t fulfill.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“Eventually we all have to accept full and total responsibility for our actions, everything we have done, and have not done.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“But to believe that getting stuff is the purpose and aim of life is madness.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“I guess we’re kindred souls and that’s why we can feel so close to each other.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“But you cant shut everyone out. I mean you have to have someone to love. . .someone to hold on to. . . someone – ” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“Usually the space was dotted with people getting high, getting higher, or wondering why they werent high yet.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“A guy needs something to give his life a reason or what’s the point of living?” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
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Quotes from Requiem for a Dream
“I suspect there will never be a requiem for a dream, simply because it will destroy us before we have the opportunity to mourn it’s passing.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“There was a sky somewhere above the tops of the buildings, with stars and a moon and all the things there are in the sky, but they were content to think of the distant street lights as planets and stars.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“There was a sky somewhere above the tops of the buildings, with stars and a moon and all the things there are in a sky, but they were content to think of the distant street lights as planets and stars. If the lights prevented you from seeing the heavens, then perform a little magic and change reality to fit the need. The street lights were now planets and stars and moon.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“Sometimes it seems to stand still. Like you’re in a bag and you can’t get out and somebody’s always telling you that it will get better with time and time just seems to stand still and laugh at you and your pain.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“Sometimes it seems to stand still. Like youre in a bag and you cant get out and somebodys always telling you that it will get better with time and time just seems to stand still and laugh at you and your pain. … And then eventually it does break and its six months later. Like you just got your summer clothes out and then its Christmas and inbetween there are ten years of pain.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
Famous Requiem for a Dream Quotes
“There’s a sorrow and pain in everyone’s life, but every now and then there’s a ray of light that melts the loneliness in your heart and brings comfort like hot soup and a soft bed.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“However they may have felt when they left they were now committed, they had passed the point of no return.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“That’s why you can’t be worried about the world. They’ll just do you in anyway. You can’t depend on them because sooner or later they’ll turn on you or just disappear and leave you there alone.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“Unfortunately, I suspect there never will be a requiem for the Dream, simply because it will destroy us before we have the opportunity to mourn its passing.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“They luxuriated in the feeling of deep and all pervading satisfaction, a feeling of knowing absolutely that all was well with the world…Not only were all things possible, but all things were theirs.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
Best Requiem for a Dream Quotes
“Life was not longer something to endure, but to live.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“Harry grinned as the others laughed and took time out to take a poke on his cigarette, then rubbed the tip of his nose with the back of his hand. I should have you all locked up for interferin with religious freedom.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“All the energy of their frustration and fear going into their laughter.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“An event of such prodigious proportions and importance that it infused her with a new will to live and materialized a dream that brightened her days and soothed her lonely nights.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“They held each other and kissed and pushed each others’ darkness into the corner, believing in each others’ light, each others’ dream.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
“For weeks Tyrone thought he was going to die any minute, and there were also times when he was afraid he wasn’t going to die.” ~ Hubert Selby Jr. (Requiem for a Dream).
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