Clare could bear this no longer. His eyes were full of…
““Clare could bear this no longer. His eyes were full of tears, which seemed like drops of molten lead. He bade a quick good-night to these sincere and simple souls whom he loved so well; who knew neither the world, the flesh, or the devil in their own hearts; only as something vague and external to themselves. He went to his own chamber. His mother followed him, and tapped at his door. Clare opened it to discover her standing without, with anxious eyes. "Angel," she asked, "is there something wrong that you must go away so soon? I am quite certain you are not yourself." "I am not, quite, mother," said he. "About her? Now, my son, I know it is that--I know it is about her! Have you quarreled in these three weeks?" "We have not exactly quarreled," he said. "But we have had a difference--" "Angel--is she a young woman whose history will bear investigation?" With a mother's instinct Mrs. Clare had put her finger on the kind of trouble that would cause such a disquiet as seemed to agitate her son. "She is spotless!" he replied; and he felt that if it had sent him to eternal hell there and then he would have told that lie. ””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A mother confronts her son, Clare, about his emotional turmoil, suspecting a secret love; he denies it, fearing moral or spiritual consequences.
In simple terms: A mother probes a son's hidden distress.
Key Takeaway
Unspoken love can cause profound inner conflict.
Themes
family
secrecy
emotional distress
moral dilemma
Mood
tense
melancholic
Type
dramatic dialogue
psychological vignette
When to use this quote
- confessing love to a disapproving parent
- dealing with guilt over a forbidden relationship
- navigating family pressure in a romantic crisis
Key Concepts
psychological repression
social expectations
Practical Applications
- Encourage open dialogue to reduce hidden anguish
- Seek counseling to untangle moral guilt
Questions to Reflect On
- What prevents Clare from sharing his true feelings?
- How does societal judgment shape personal honesty?
A Different Perspective
The passage dramatizes internal conflict without offering a resolution, which may romanticize suffering.