Captivity Quote by Anne Stuart
““Without his shirt she could see just how bony he was, probably twenty or thirty pounds under his fighting weight from his years in captivity. He loomed over her, and she finally understood her ambivalence. He had protected her, killed for her, led her to safety. He was safety. But he was also big and raw and so elementally male that it made her teeth sweat. She’d spent most of her life blissfully above the calls of the flesh and the dark, desperate couplings that subsumed others. She didn’t like sex, didn’t want sex. Body parts were simply that. She looked at MacGowan and thought about sex.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Vampire Diaries, Anne Stuart, 1991
She realizes the tension between protective masculinity and sexual desire, recognizing her own aversion to physical intimacy despite attraction.
In simple terms: She feels both safe and uneasy around a strong man, and avoids sex.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and explore personal boundaries.
Themes
sexuality
masculinity
aversion
protection
conflict
Mood
conflicted
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
character study
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- intimate encounters
- self‑reflection
- boundary setting
Key Concepts
gender dynamics
psychological tension
body image
Questions to Reflect On
- How do past experiences shape current sexual comfort?
- What boundaries are needed for healthy intimacy?
A Different Perspective
Her fear may stem from past trauma, limiting intimacy.
