Piranesi

by

Susanna Clarke

For much of the novel, 16 is a mysterious figure. All Piranesi knows of them is what the Other tells him: 16 is an enemy whose words will make Piranesi insane. As the story progresses, however, Piranesi becomes increasingly curious about 16’s identity, and after learning the truth about the Other, decides to team with them. Together, they take down the Other and 16 introduces herself as Raphael. A dark-haired police officer who’s around 40 years old, she explains how she came to discover Piranesi’s whereabouts and her journey to save him. Her story reveals her to be not only incredibly brave and resourceful, but also kind. Touring the House, she proves herself to be a true friend and kindred soul to Piranesi. Though she asks Piranesi to return home with her, she does not pressure him. A deeply, kind, sympathetic person, she understands the difficulty of the decision, and she promises to visit him no matter what he decides. Galvanized by her kindness and their emotional connections, Piranesi decides to accompany Raphael to the real world.

16/Raphael Quotes in Piranesi

The Piranesi quotes below are all either spoken by 16/Raphael or refer to 16/Raphael . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Human vs. Inhuman Worlds Theme Icon
).
Part 1 Quotes

And You. Who are You? Who is it that I am writing for? Are you a traveler who has cheated Tides and cross Broken Floors and Derelict Stairs to reach these Halls. Or are You perhaps someone who inhabits my own Halls after I am dead?

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 12
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2 Quotes

So this, as far as I can tell, is what the birds told me. A message from Afar. Obscure Writing. Innocence eroded. Interesting. I will allow some time to elapse—say a few months—and then I will examine this communication again to see if the intervening events can shed any light upon it (and vice versa).

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House , The Great and Secret Knowledge
Page Number: 43
Explanation and Analysis:

“You said you met 16. But you also said 16 does not know the way here. Meaning that you must have met him in his own Hall or, at any rate, in some Remote Region. This surprises me because I do not believe you have undertaken any long journeys since I have known you.” I smiled at the Other, awaiting his answer, which I fully expected would be very interesting.

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 76
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 4 Quotes

One sentence puzzles me: The world was constantly speaking to Ancient Man. I do not understand why this sentence is in the past tense. The World still speaks to me everyday.

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 154
Explanation and Analysis:

Are you Matthew Rose Sorensen?

I am… I stuttered. I am…

At first I could get no further than this.

I am… I am the Beloved Child of the House.

Yes.

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 162
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 6 Quotes

He had suffered. He had been alone with his enemy. It had been more than he could bear. Perhaps the Other had taunted him. Matthew Rose Sorensen had torn into pieces the description of his enslavement that he had written in his Journal and he had scattered the pieces in the Eighty-Eighth Western Hall. Then the House in its Mercy had caused him to fall asleep — which was by far the best thing for him — and it had placed him inside me.

0111

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 191-192
Explanation and Analysis:

This annoyed me. ‘I do not see why you say I can only see a representation in this World,’ I said with some sharpness. ‘The word “only” suggests a relationship of inferiority. You make it sounds as if the Statue was somehow inferior to the thing itself. I do not see that that is the case at all. I would argue that the Statue is superior to the thing itself, the statue being perfect, eternal, and not subject to decay.’

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), 16/Raphael , Dr. Laurence Arne-Sayles/the Prophet
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 222
Explanation and Analysis:
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16/Raphael Quotes in Piranesi

The Piranesi quotes below are all either spoken by 16/Raphael or refer to 16/Raphael . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Human vs. Inhuman Worlds Theme Icon
).
Part 1 Quotes

And You. Who are You? Who is it that I am writing for? Are you a traveler who has cheated Tides and cross Broken Floors and Derelict Stairs to reach these Halls. Or are You perhaps someone who inhabits my own Halls after I am dead?

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 12
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2 Quotes

So this, as far as I can tell, is what the birds told me. A message from Afar. Obscure Writing. Innocence eroded. Interesting. I will allow some time to elapse—say a few months—and then I will examine this communication again to see if the intervening events can shed any light upon it (and vice versa).

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House , The Great and Secret Knowledge
Page Number: 43
Explanation and Analysis:

“You said you met 16. But you also said 16 does not know the way here. Meaning that you must have met him in his own Hall or, at any rate, in some Remote Region. This surprises me because I do not believe you have undertaken any long journeys since I have known you.” I smiled at the Other, awaiting his answer, which I fully expected would be very interesting.

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 76
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 4 Quotes

One sentence puzzles me: The world was constantly speaking to Ancient Man. I do not understand why this sentence is in the past tense. The World still speaks to me everyday.

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 154
Explanation and Analysis:

Are you Matthew Rose Sorensen?

I am… I stuttered. I am…

At first I could get no further than this.

I am… I am the Beloved Child of the House.

Yes.

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 162
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 6 Quotes

He had suffered. He had been alone with his enemy. It had been more than he could bear. Perhaps the Other had taunted him. Matthew Rose Sorensen had torn into pieces the description of his enslavement that he had written in his Journal and he had scattered the pieces in the Eighty-Eighth Western Hall. Then the House in its Mercy had caused him to fall asleep — which was by far the best thing for him — and it had placed him inside me.

0111

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), The Other/Dr. Valentine Ketterley , 16/Raphael
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 191-192
Explanation and Analysis:

This annoyed me. ‘I do not see why you say I can only see a representation in this World,’ I said with some sharpness. ‘The word “only” suggests a relationship of inferiority. You make it sounds as if the Statue was somehow inferior to the thing itself. I do not see that that is the case at all. I would argue that the Statue is superior to the thing itself, the statue being perfect, eternal, and not subject to decay.’

Related Characters: Piranesi/Matthew Rose Sorensen (speaker), 16/Raphael , Dr. Laurence Arne-Sayles/the Prophet
Related Symbols: The House
Page Number: 222
Explanation and Analysis: