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I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried…

“I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank.” quote by Langston Hughes
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“I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank.”

Langston Hughes

About This Quote

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

A desperate attempt at mental clarity ends in self‑destruction, reflecting hopelessness and impulsive escape.

In simple terms: Despair leads to harmful choices.

Key Takeaway

Seek help before acting on despair.

Themes

despair escape mental health

Mood

sad reflective

Type

poetic emotional

When to use this quote

  • personal crisis
  • mental health crisis
  • emotional breakdown

Key Concepts

self‑destruction impulsivity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What healthier coping could you try?
  • Who can you reach out to?
A Different Perspective

Hope and support can prevent tragic outcomes.

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