Doing things Quote by Barry Lyga
““ Sometimes I can't tell the difference between living and dead. Sometimes I look at a pretty little girlie and I think to myself, Is she a living, breathing thing? Or is she just a doll? Are those actualy tears she's crying? Are those real creams coming out of her mouth? And it's like a fog in my mind, like I get all confused and frustrated and mixed up, so I start doing things. Start small at first, like maybe with the ears or the lips or the toes. And then move on to the bigger things, and there's blood, so I keeping going and my hands are wet and my mouth is warm and I keep going and then something magical happens, Jasper. It's real magical and special and beautiful. See, they stop moving. They stop struggiling. All the fight just goes away and that's when it's all clear to me: She's dead. And if she's dead, then that means that she used to be alive. So then I know: This was a living one, a real one. And I feel good after that 'cause I figured it out. ””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Unseen World, Barry Lyga, 2022
The narrator grapples with blurred lines between life and death, using disjointed observations to confront mortality and find clarity through violent acts.
In simple terms: Confused about life and death, the speaker uses graphic acts to understand death.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that confronting darkness can bring unsettling clarity.
Themes
mortality
confusion
violence
clarity
psychology
Mood
disturbing
introspective
dark
Type
literary
psychological
fiction
When to use this quote
- artistic expression
- personal reflection
- mental health coping
- creative writing
- fictional narrative
Key Concepts
existential dread
identity crisis
psychopathology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the narrator truly seek in these acts?
- How does this portrayal affect our view of mortality?
A Different Perspective
The violent method described may glorify harmful behavior and desensitize readers.
