How do I know you'll keep your word?" asked Coraline. "I…
“How do I know you'll keep your word?" asked Coraline. "I swear it," said the other mother. "I swear it on my own mother's grave." "Does she have a grave?" asked Coraline. "Oh yes," said the other mother. "I put her in there myself. And when I found her trying to crawl out, I put her back.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A child questions the trustworthiness of a deceptive figure who uses grave grave to guarantee promises.
In simple terms: A child doubts a false promise made on a grave.
Key Takeaway
Question promises made under false pretenses.
Themes
trust
deception
family
identity
fear
Mood
uneasy
suspicious
darkly
Type
literary
cautionary
dialogue
When to use this quote
- parental figures
- children confronting lies
- making decisions under pressure
- evaluating credibility
Key Concepts
psychology
moral ambiguity
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a promise credible?
- How do we test the truth of someone's word?
A Different Perspective
The promise is hollow because the grave is a fabricated guarantee.