I've never had sex," repeated Artemis. "Never wanted to."…
““I've never had sex," repeated Artemis. "Never wanted to." It was her turn not to look at him as she spoke. "Not with a man or with a woman, or with an animal, though my family joke about it. And I never will. The thought of it disgusts me. But the others - my family - they think that means I haven't got any feelings. That I could never care about anyone, that I don't know what love is, just because I don't-" she shuddered. "But you know what?" she said, turning to him now. "I really loved my dogs. Everyone laughs at me for it, but it's true. The time I spent with them, running, hunting, those were the happiest times of my life. They understood me. They were animals but they understood me far better than anyone in my family ever will. We shared something, we were the same. And they made me kill them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Artemis rejects sexual intimacy, feeling disgusted, yet finds deep connection with dogs, highlighting non‑human companionship.
In simple terms: She loves dogs more than people.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic bonds, even with animals.
Themes
loneliness
sexuality
identity
Mood
melancholic
defiant
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- pet ownership
- sexual trauma
- family expectations
- self‑acceptance
Key Concepts
attachment theory
anthropomorphism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does love mean beyond romance?
- How can we respect unconventional attachments?
A Different Perspective
Human relationships may not fulfill all emotional needs.