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We believed optimistically that Laurie was a reformed…

“We believed optimistically that Laurie was a reformed character. I told my husband, on the last day of Laurie's confinement, that actually one good scare like that could probably mark a child for life, and my husband pointed out that kids frequently have an instinctive desire to follow the good…” quote by Shirley Jackson
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““We believed optimistically that Laurie was a reformed character. I told my husband, on the last day of Laurie's confinement, that actually one good scare like that could probably mark a child for life, and my husband pointed out that kids frequently have an instinctive desire to follow the good example rather than the bad, once they find out which is which. We agreed that a good moral background and thorough grounding in the Hardy Boys would always tell in the long run. ("Arch-Criminal")””

Shirley Jackson

About This Quote

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

Children are shaped by both positive and negative role models; fear can be a powerful teacher.

In simple terms: Kids learn from good and bad examples.

Key Takeaway

Balance guidance with healthy challenges.

Themes

parenting morality learning fear

Mood

thoughtful cautionary

Type

narrative psychological

When to use this quote

  • raising children
  • education
  • storytelling
  • character building

Key Concepts

psychology developmental theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • How much risk is healthy for growth?
  • What positive examples can you model?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on fear may cause trauma.

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