Skip to content

It's too short,' she said, 'ever so much too short.' Never…

“It's too short,' she said, 'ever so much too short.' Never did anybody look so sad. Bitter and black, half-way down, in the darkness, in the shaft which ran from the sunlight to the depths, perhaps a tear formed; a tear fell; the waters swayed this way and that, received it, and were at rest…” quote by Virginia Woolf
Download Open image
““It's too short,' she said, 'ever so much too short.' Never did anybody look so sad. Bitter and black, half-way down, in the darkness, in the shaft which ran from the sunlight to the depths, perhaps a tear formed; a tear fell; the waters swayed this way and that, received it, and were at rest. Never did anybody look so sad.””

Virginia Woolf

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 deep sorrow, using darkness and water imagery to convey overwhelming grief.

In simple terms: Intense sadness expressed through vivid metaphor.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and honor hidden grief.

Themes

grief darkness water light emotion

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

literary emotional

When to use this quote

  • personal loss
  • mental health
  • artistic expression
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

existential melancholy psychological depth

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does darkness shape our perception of sorrow?
  • What can water symbolize in emotional healing?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may romanticize suffering, overlooking practical coping.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Virginia Woolf

Explore all 1,872 Virginia Woolf quotes

More Brilliant quotes

Browse all 2,403 Brilliant quotes