He drank a good deal at times. But the alcohol did not…
““He drank a good deal at times. But the alcohol did not seem to affect him. His stony expression never changed. But sometimes a strange, flashing glance from his cold eyes would rest upon Anna, full of some burning fierceness that was like hatred, and he would force her to drink with him, force her to swallow a little glassful of fiery spirit at a single gulp. 'I ought to shoot you, really,' he said to her once, in a dead voice. 'Conscientiously, it would be the best thing for me to do.' She saw from the grave concentration on his face that his conscience did actually require him to kill her. And this puzzled her because she could not understand why her death should be a conscientious necessity. The thought of being shot did not seem to cause her any concern.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A man, despite heavy drinking, remains emotionally detached yet occasionally shows a violent, jealous intensity toward a woman, forcing her into dangerous behavior, while his conscience paradoxically urges him to kill her, leaving her bewildered and unafraid of death.
In simple terms: A drunk man shows cold cruelty and a paradoxical urge to kill, confusing the woman who feels no fear.
Key Takeaway
Recognize toxic manipulation and seek safety.
Themes
toxicity
power dynamics
psychology
Mood
uneasy
tense
detached
Type
literary
psychological
cautionary
When to use this quote
- intimate relationships
- abusive partners
- coercive drinking
- psychological manipulation
Key Concepts
moral conflict
addiction
control
Questions to Reflect On
- Why does she remain untroubled by the threat?
- What does his “conscientious” motive reveal about his psyche?
A Different Perspective
His conscience may be a rationalization, not a true moral guide.