"Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, while all the time we long to move the stars to pity"

In this quote, Gustave Flaubert is utilizing language as a metaphor for communication and expression. He compares it to a "broken kettle," suggesting that it is imperfect and flawed. The "tunes" that we beat out on this cracked kettle represent the words and messages we communicate to others. However, the audience for these words is not people, however rather bears. This suggests that our interaction is frequently shallow and meaningless, as bears do not have the capability to truly understand or value it. On the other hand, the speaker wish for something higher, symbolized by the desire to "move the stars to pity." This could represent a desire for deeper connection and understanding, or perhaps a longing for a higher purpose or effect in our interaction. Overall, Flaubert's quote highlights the constraints and frustrations of language, while likewise hinting at the capacity for something more profound.