- Might it console you to know that I expect nothing but…
“- Might it console you to know that I expect nothing but torture from her return? That I regard you as a bird of paradise? She shook her head. - That my admiration for you is painfully strong? - I want Van – she cried – and not intangible admiration. - Intangible? You goose. You my gauge it, you may brush it once very lightly with the knuckles of you gloved hand. I said knuckles. I said once. That will do. I can't kiss you. Not even your burning face. Good-bye, pet. Tell Edmond to take a nap after he returns. I shall need him at two in the morning.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Intense desire for a person can become painful and unattainable, mixing admiration with frustration.
In simple terms: Strong love can feel both painful and impossible.
Key Takeaway
Accept longing but recognize limits.
Themes
love
desire
frustration
unattainable
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- unrequited love
- emotional turmoil
Key Concepts
obsession
emotional conflict
unrequited affection
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this longing reveal about the speaker’s self‑worth?
- Can admiration exist without expectation?
A Different Perspective
Desire may become self‑destructive if not tempered.