Skip to content

She had been so wicked that in all her life she had done…

“She had been so wicked that in all her life she had done only one good deed-given an onion to a beggar. So she went to hell. As she lay in torment she saw the onion, lowered down from heaven by an angel. She caught hold of it. He began to pull her up. The other damned saw what was happening and…” quote by E. M. Forster
Download Open image
“She had been so wicked that in all her life she had done only one good deed-given an onion to a beggar. So she went to hell. As she lay in torment she saw the onion, lowered down from heaven by an angel. She caught hold of it. He began to pull her up. The other damned saw what was happening and caught hold of it too. She was indignant and cried, "Let go-it's my onion," and as soon as she said, "my onion," the stalk broke and she fell back into the flames.”

E. M. Forster

About This Quote

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

A wicked person’s selfishness causes her to lose a chance at redemption when she clings to a small mercy as if it were her own.

In simple terms: Selfishness ruins redemption.

Key Takeaway

Share generosity without ownership.

Themes

selfishness redemption compassion karma

Mood

reflective somber

Type

moral allegorical

When to use this quote

  • charity
  • personal growth
  • ethical decision making

Key Concepts

moral tale altruism spiritual consequence

Questions to Reflect On

  • What would you have done with the onion?
  • How does ownership affect generosity?
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by E. M. Forster

Explore all 287 E. M. Forster quotes

More Angel quotes

Browse all 4,625 Angel quotes