Though the face before me was that of a young woman of…
““Though the face before me was that of a young woman of certainly not more than thirty years, in perfect health and the first flush of ripened beauty, yet it bore stamped upon it a seal of unutterable experience, and of deep acquaintance with grief and passion. Not even the slow smile that crept about the dimples of her mouth could hide the shadow of sin and sorrow. It shone even in the light of those glorious eyes, it was present in the air of majesty, and it seemed to say: 'Behold me, lovely as no woman was or is, undying and half-divine; memory haunts me from age to age, and passion leads me by the hand--evil have I done, and with sorrow have I made acquaintance from age to age, and from age to age evil shall I do, and sorrow shall I know till my redemption comes.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A beautiful woman appears flawless yet carries deep grief and moral burden, suggesting that outward perfection can mask inner suffering and a cycle of sin.
In simple terms: Beauty hides deep pain and moral conflict.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden struggles behind appearances.
Themes
beauty
grief
morality
redemption
dual nature
Mood
melancholic
reflective
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- literary analysis
- psychological insight
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
tragic heroism
inner conflict
fate
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden pains might you overlook in others?
- Can redemption be achieved without suffering?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes redemption is inevitable, which may not hold for all narratives.