She cast her eyes about her, longing for the earth to open up. Why not end it all? What was holding her back? She was free to act. And she moved forward. 'Do it! Do it!' she ordered herself, peering down at the pavement.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The character considers suicide, driven by despair but halted by an internal conflict.
- In plain terms
- She thought about ending her life but couldn't do it.
- What can you take from it?
- Despair can lead to thoughts of self-destruction even when freedom seems available.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What helps people choose life?
- How can you support someone in crisis?
Another view
It depicts a severe mental state that requires professional intervention.
More from Gustave Flaubert
But some day sooner or later our passion would have cooled -- inevitably -- it's the way with everything human.
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