Gossip says she hanged herself from the turret on the tower, but when you have a house like Hill House with a tower and a turret, gossip would hardly allow you to hang yourself anywhere else.
Shirley JacksonRead
Journeys end in lovers meeting; I have spent an all but sleepless night, I have told lies and made a fool of myself, and the very air tastes like wine. I have been frightened half out of my foolish wits, but I have somehow earned this joy; I have been waiting for it for so long.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the joy and complexity of love, highlighting the emotional journey it entails.
In this quote, Shirley Jackson captures the essence of romantic love and the myriad experiences that accompany it. The speaker describes a tumultuous journey filled with sleepless nights, fear, and self-doubt, yet ultimately conveys a profound sense of joy that comes from the culmination of love. It speaks to the idea that the path to love can be fraught with challenges, but the rewards make it all worthwhile, suggesting that true love is a destination that is eagerly awaited.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a wedding toast celebrating the couple's journey together.
Gossip says she hanged herself from the turret on the tower, but when you have a house like Hill House with a tower and a turret, gossip would hardly allow you to hang yourself anywhere else.
It watches," he added suddenly. "The house. It watches every move you make.
There had not been this many words sounded in our house for a long time, and it was going to take a while to clean them out.
Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.
I can't help it when people are frightened," says Merricat. "I always want to frighten them more.
I was pretending that I did not speak their language; on the moon we spoke a soft, liquid tongue, and sang in the starlight, looking down on the dead dried world.
Lightning, your presence from ground to sky, no one knows what becomes of me, when you take me so quickly.
I think you still love me, but we can’t escape the fact that I’m not enough for you. I knew this was going to happen. So I’m not blaming you for falling in love with another woman. I’m not angry, either. I should be, but I’m not. I just feel pain. A lot of pain. I thought I could imagine how much this would hurt, but I was wrong.
All for love, and nothing for reward.
What is better than wisdom? Woman. And what is better than a good woman? Nothing.
Then he gave her a kiss on the forehead that felt like a baptism and she wept like a baby.
When you play the field selfishly everything works against you: one can’t insist on love or demand affection. you’re finally left with whatever you have been willing to give which often is: nothing.
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