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There was a stifled groan and the horrible sound of some…

“There was a stifled groan and the horrible sound of some one choking with blood. Three times the outstretched arms shot up convulsively, waving grotesque, stiff-fingered hands in the air. He stabbed him twice more, but the man did not move. Something began to trickle on the floor. He waited for a…” quote by Oscar Wilde
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““There was a stifled groan and the horrible sound of some one choking with blood. Three times the outstretched arms shot up convulsively, waving grotesque, stiff-fingered hands in the air. He stabbed him twice more, but the man did not move. Something began to trickle on the floor. He waited for a moment, still pressing the head down. Then he threw the knife on the table, and listened.””

Oscar Wilde

About This Quote

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

The passage portrays a gruesome, violent act, highlighting the horror and grotesqueness of the scene.

In simple terms: Violence described in vivid, shocking detail.

Key Takeaway

Beware the darkness within.

Themes

violence death grotesque horror morality

Mood

disturbing grim

Type

literary cautionary

When to use this quote

  • crime investigation
  • war reporting
  • psychological therapy

Key Concepts

psychology human cruelty existential dread

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives a person to such cruelty?
  • How does witnessing gore affect empathy?
A Different Perspective

Violence can desensitize observers.

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