Meaning: The quote "Words are but the vague shadows of the volumes we mean. Little audible links, they are, chaining together great inaudible feelings and purposes" by Theodore Dreiser, a renowned novelist, reflects the profound impact and limitations of language in expressing the depth and complexity of human emotions and intentions. In this quote, Dreiser suggests that words are merely inadequate representations of the profound thoughts and emotions they seek to convey. Instead, they serve as subtle connections that link together the immense, unspoken sentiments and intentions within us.

Dreiser’s quote encapsulates the idea that language, while being a powerful tool for communication and expression, often falls short in capturing the full spectrum of human experience. The inadequacy of words to fully convey the depth of our emotions and intentions is a recurring theme in literature and philosophy. Many writers and thinkers have grappled with the idea that language is inherently limited in its ability to encapsulate the complexities of human thought and feeling.

The notion of words being "vague shadows of the volumes we mean" suggests that the true depth and complexity of our thoughts and emotions cannot be fully captured or contained within the confines of language. Words can only offer a partial glimpse or reflection of the profound ideas and feelings they seek to represent. This concept highlights the inherent challenge of translating the intricacies of human experience into language.

Furthermore, the reference to words as "little audible links" that chain together "great inaudible feelings and purposes" underscores the idea that words serve as connectors or bridges between the tangible, audible realm of language and the intangible, unspoken realm of emotions and intentions. While words may serve as conduits for communication, they are inherently bound by their limitations in conveying the depth and nuance of human experience.

Dreiser's perspective on the limitations of language aligns with philosophical and linguistic debates about the nature of communication and the extent to which words can truly capture the richness of human experience. Philosophers such as Ludwig Wittgenstein and Jacques Derrida have explored the complexities of language and its inherent limitations in conveying meaning.

In conclusion, Theodore Dreiser's quote offers a thought-provoking reflection on the nature and limitations of language in expressing the depth and complexity of human emotions and intentions. It emphasizes the inherent challenge of translating the profound intricacies of human experience into words, highlighting the gap between what is spoken and what is truly felt or intended. This quote invites contemplation on the nuances of communication and the ways in which words, while powerful, can only offer a partial reflection of the vast volumes of thoughts and emotions within us.