To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
Aldous HuxleyRead
Her cheeks were flushed. She caught hold of the Savage's arm and pressed it, limp, against her side. He looked down at her for a moment, pale, pained, desiring, and ashamed of his desire. He was not worthy, not... Their eyes for a moment met. What treasures hers promised! A queen's ransom of temperament. Hastily he looked away, disengaged his imprisoned arm. He was obscurely terrified lest she should cease to be something he could feel himself unworthy of.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote explores the complexities of desire, worthiness, and emotional connection in a romantic context.
In this passage, Aldous Huxley delves into the intense emotions of a character who feels an overwhelming desire for another, yet struggles with feelings of inadequacy and shame. The interplay between affection and unworthiness reflects the human condition of longing for connection while fearing vulnerability, capturing the depth of romantic emotions and the anxiety that can accompany them. The moment of eye contact symbolizes a profound but potentially daunting bond, making the character retreat into self-doubt instead of embracing the opportunity for intimacy.
Themes
LoveDesireWorthinessConnectionEmotion
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a discussion about the challenges of romantic relationships.
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The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace, The prurient ape's defiling touch: And do you like the human race? No, not much.
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