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She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting…

“She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting. Perhaps indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances. He must be either indifferent or unwilling. Has he wished ever to see her again, he need not have waited till this time; he would have done what she could not but…” quote by Jane Austen
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“She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting. Perhaps indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances. He must be either indifferent or unwilling. Has he wished ever to see her again, he need not have waited till this time; he would have done what she could not but believe that in his place she should have done long ago, when events had been early giving him the indepencence which alone had been wanting.”

Jane Austen

About This Quote

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

The narrator ponders a man's ambiguous feelings, questioning whether he is indifferent or unwilling, and reflects on missed opportunities and timing.

In simple terms: She wonders if he truly cares or just pretends.

Key Takeaway

Consider how assumptions about others' feelings can cloud judgment.

Themes

relationships miscommunication timing

Mood

uncertain contemplative

Type

literary analytical

When to use this quote

  • courtship
  • friendship
  • professional negotiations
  • family discussions

Key Concepts

emotional intelligence perception expectation

Questions to Reflect On

  • What evidence supports his indifference?
  • How might you clarify his true intentions?
A Different Perspective

Assuming indifference may ignore deeper motives or external constraints.

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