He said twice over before he knew himself: 'Can't a man speak of his own child he's lost?' 'Not you!'-'Oh, where's my hat? Oh, I don't need it! I must get out of here. I must get air.'- I don't know rightly whether any man can.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- He hesitates to speak of his lost child, distracted by trivial concerns, questioning whether anyone can truly speak of such loss.
- In plain terms
- He struggles to talk about personal grief, feeling unable to find words.
- What can you take from it?
- Grief can make communication feel impossible.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why is it hard to articulate loss?
- How can we support those who cannot speak?
Another view
Some may find solace in sharing despite difficulty.
More from Robert Frost
The little graveyard where my people are! So small the window frames the whole of it.
Permalink to quote #97 'My words are nearly always an offense. I don't know how to speak of anything So as to please you. But I might be taught, I should suppose. I can't say I see h…
Permalink to quote #99 She let him look, sure that he wouldn't see, Blind creature; and awhile he didn't see. But at last he murmured, 'Oh,' and again, 'Oh.'
Permalink to quote #96
Related quotes
What we conceal Is always more than what we dare confide. Think of the letters that we write our dead.
Dana GioiaDana Gioia quote #12 I had been gone a fortnight when the telegram was put into my hands. I had got a letter from my sister, a few hours before, saying that all was well at home. T…
J. M. BarrieJ. M. Barrie quote #14 'Dear Mrs., Mr., Miss, or Mr. And Mrs. Daneeka: Words cannot express the deep personal grief I experienced when your husband, son, father, or brother was kille…
Joseph HellerJoseph Heller quote #20