Every age has a keyhole to which its eye is pasted

Every age has a keyhole to which its eye is pasted

Mary McCarthy, a prominent American writer and critic, once said, "Every age has a keyhole to which its eye is pasted." This quote speaks to the idea that each era has its own unique perspective or way of viewing the world. Just as a keyhole offers a limited view of what lies beyond, so too does each age have its own narrow focus or lens through which it sees the world.

In the context of Mary McCarthy's work, this quote can be interpreted as a commentary on the way in which society's values and beliefs shape the way we perceive the world around us. McCarthy was known for her sharp wit and keen insight into human nature, and her writing often explored the ways in which individuals are influenced by the cultural norms and expectations of their time.

For McCarthy, the keyhole represents the narrow perspective through which we view the world, limited by our own biases and preconceptions. Each age, she suggests, is defined by the particular keyhole through which its eye is pasted, shaping the way in which people see and understand the world.