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
What this quote means
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.
Themes
LoveJourneyJoyEmotionsRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a wedding toast celebrating the couple's journey together.
More from Shirley Jackson
All quotes →It watches," he added suddenly. "The house. It watches every move you make.
Shirley JacksonRead
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.
Shirley JacksonRead
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.
Shirley JacksonRead
I can't help it when people are frightened," says Merricat. "I always want to frighten them more.
Shirley JacksonRead
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.
Shirley JacksonRead
Similar quotes
Lightning, your presence from ground to sky, no one knows what becomes of me, when you take me so quickly.
RumiRead
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.
Haruki MurakamiRead
All for love, and nothing for reward.
Edmund SpenserRead
What is better than wisdom? Woman. And what is better than a good woman? Nothing.
Geoffrey ChaucerRead
Then he gave her a kiss on the forehead that felt like a baptism and she wept like a baby.
Zadie SmithRead
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.
Charles BukowskiRead