Franklin, I was absolutely terrified of having a child…
““Franklin, I was absolutely terrified of having a child. Before I got pregnant, my visions of child rearing- reading stories about cabooses with smiley faces at bedtime, feeding glop into slack mouths- all seemed like pictures of someone else. I dreaded confrontation with what could prove a closed, stony nature, my own selfishness and lack of generosity, the thick tarry powers of my own resentment. However intrigued by a “turn of the page,” I was mortified by the prospect of becoming hopelessly trapped in someone else’s story. And I believe that this terror is precisely what must have snagged me, the way a ledge will tempt one to jump off. The very surmountability of the task, its very unattractiveness , was in the end what attracted me to it. (32)””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote expresses how fear of responsibility and personal flaws can paradoxically draw someone toward a daunting task, making it compelling.
In simple terms: Fear can make a daunting task oddly attractive.
Key Takeaway
Embrace fear as a sign of growth.
Themes
fear
self‑reflection
growth
parenthood
motivation
Mood
anxious
reflective
determined
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career change
- parenting
- personal development
- overcoming anxiety
Key Concepts
psychology
existentialism
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears are masking your true desires?
- How can you turn dread into motivation?
A Different Perspective
Fear may blind judgment and cause avoidance of necessary preparation.