She would fain have caught at the skirts of that departing time, and prayed it to return, and give her back what she had too little valued while it was yet in her possession. What a vain show Life seemed! How unsubstantial, and flickering, and flitting! It was as if from some aerial belfry, high up above the stir and jar of the earth, there was a bell continually tolling, ‘All are shadows! –all are passing! –all is past! . Elizabeth Gaskell
About This Quote

In the above quote by Emily Dickinson, she describes how she feels about life. She seems to be wishing that she could live in the past, where her life was simple and carefree. She wishes that she could go back in time just to catch a glimpse of happiness before it was taken away from her. She says that she would love to go back in time and change what happened.

Source: North And South

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