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I was seized with a sudden desire to laugh, to cry, to do…

“I was seized with a sudden desire to laugh, to cry, to do both, and I had a pain, too, at the pit of my stomach. I wished, for one wild moment, that none of this had happened, that I was alone somewhere, going for a walk, and whistling.” quote by Daphne du Maurier
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““I was seized with a sudden desire to laugh, to cry, to do both, and I had a pain, too, at the pit of my stomach. I wished, for one wild moment, that none of this had happened, that I was alone somewhere, going for a walk, and whistling.””

Daphne du Maurier

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A sudden surge of mixed emotions—laughter, tears, and pain—creates a longing for escape and solitude.

In simple terms: Mixed feelings spark a wish to be alone.

Key Takeaway

Allow yourself to feel fully before seeking escape.

Themes

emotion conflict solitude longing

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

literary emotional

When to use this quote

  • personal crisis
  • creative writing
  • mental health
  • self‑reflection

Key Concepts

psychology human experience catharsis

Questions to Reflect On

  • What triggers your need to flee emotions?
  • How can you sit with discomfort?
A Different Perspective

Escaping may not resolve underlying issues.

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