An enormous emotion beat on him; it was like something…
““An enormous emotion beat on him; it was like something trying to get in, the pressure of gigantic wings against the glass. Dona nobis pacem. He withstood it, with all the bitter force of the school bench, the cement playground, the St. Pancras waiting room, Dallow's and Judy's secret lust, and the cold and unhappy moment on the pier. If the glass broke, if the beast--whatever it was--got in, God knows what it would do. He had a sense of huge havoc--the confession, the penance, and the sacrament--an awful distraction, and he drove blind into the rain.””
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 feels an overwhelming, oppressive emotional pressure that threatens to break his composure, symbolized by glass and wings, and he confronts it despite personal turmoil and fear of unknown consequences.
In simple terms: He is overwhelmed by a powerful, looming emotion that feels like a breaking force.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and face intense feelings rather than avoid them.
Themes
anxiety
spiritual conflict
desire
danger
Mood
tense
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
psychological
existential
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- relationship tension
- public spaces
- inner turmoil
- fear of loss
Key Concepts
existential dread
psychological pressure
religious symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the glass symbolize for you?
- How do you confront overwhelming emotions?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may exaggerate inner turmoil, overlooking rational coping strategies.