Lips Pursed Quote by Alice McDermott
““She paused, her eyes joyous, her lips pursed, her cheeks drawn in, as if the piece of news were butterscotch in her mouth. “Adele was crying,” she added, only mouthing the words, or only speaking them with a breathless wheeze in place of where the words might have been. “Crying.” She pantomimed, dragging her own manicured finger down her cheek.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lost Daughter, Alice McDermott, 2006
A character’s restrained reaction to shocking news reveals deep emotional turmoil and the difficulty of expressing grief.
In simple terms: She hides her pain behind a controlled, almost theatrical display.
Key Takeaway
Notice how subtle gestures can betray inner feelings.
Themes
grief
communication
emotional restraint
performance
intimacy
Mood
melancholic
reflective
intense
Type
literary
character study.
When to use this quote
- family tragedy
- personal confession
- public speaking
- intimate conversation
Key Concepts
psychology
nonverbal expression
social masking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we recognize genuine sorrow behind a composed exterior?
- What does the act of pantomiming grief say about our need to be understood?
A Different Perspective
The scene may overemphasize melodrama, making the emotional response seem exaggerated.
