I tried to groan, Help! Help! But the tone that came out was that of polite conversation.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Emotional distress is suppressed by social norms, turning cries for help into polite speech.
- In plain terms
- Pain is masked by politeness.
- What can you take from it?
- Social norms can hide real pain.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you show pain?
- When do you hide feelings?
Another view
It overlooks those who do cry out.
More from Samuel Beckett
A mask of dirty old hairy leather, with two holes and a slit, it was too far gone for the old trick of please your honour and God reward you and pity upon me. …
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