Sometimes I do pretend I am a princess. I pretend I am a…
““Sometimes I do pretend I am a princess. I pretend I am a princess, so that I can try and behave like one.” Lavinia could not think of exactly the right thing to say. Several times she had found that she could not think of a satisfactory reply when she was dealing with Sara. The reason for this was that, somehow, the rest always seemed to be vaguely in sympathy with her opponent. She saw now that they were pricking up their ears interestedly. The truth was, they liked princesses, and they all hoped they might hear something more definite about this one, and drew nearer Sara accordingly. Lavinia could only invent one remark, and it fell rather flat. “Dear me,” she said, “I hope, when you ascend the throne, you won’t forget us!” “I won’t,” said Sara, and she did not utter another word, but stood quite still, and stared at her steadily as she saw her take Jessie’s arm and turn away.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A child pretends to be a princess to gain confidence, but struggles to find authentic words in social tension.
In simple terms: Pretending can boost confidence but may feel hollow.
Key Takeaway
Use imagination wisely, but seek genuine expression.
Themes
identity
imagination
social anxiety
communication
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- school interactions
- family gatherings
- role-playing games
- public speaking
Key Concepts
role-play
self-esteem
conflict resolution
Questions to Reflect On
- When do you adopt a role to fit in?
- How can you express yourself authentically?
A Different Perspective
Pretending can mask underlying insecurities instead of resolving them.