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She drew herself up to the full height of her slender…

“She drew herself up to the full height of her slender majesty, towering like some dark angel of defiance above the troubled Gerty, who could only falter out: "Lily, Lily-- how can you laugh about such things?" "So as not to weep, perhaps. But no-- I'm not of the tearful order. I discovered early…” quote by Edith Wharton
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““She drew herself up to the full height of her slender majesty, towering like some dark angel of defiance above the troubled Gerty, who could only falter out: "Lily, Lily-- how can you laugh about such things?" "So as not to weep, perhaps. But no-- I'm not of the tearful order. I discovered early that crying makes my nose red, and the knowledge has helped me through several painful episodes.””

Edith Wharton

About This Quote

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

A character asserts emotional resilience, refusing tears, using humor to cope with hardship.

In simple terms: She chooses laughter over crying to endure pain.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humor as a coping tool.

Themes

resilience humor defiance emotion

Mood

introspective defiant

Type

fictional character

When to use this quote

  • personal loss
  • family conflict
  • social pressure
  • mental health

Key Concepts

psychological coping self‑preservation

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is laughter insufficient?
  • How does defiance protect self?
A Different Perspective

Humor may mask deeper sorrow needing address.

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