Blankness Quote by Bret Easton Ellis
““At first she was so inexpressive and indifferent that I wanted to know more about her. I envied that blankness - it was the opposite of helplessness or damage or craving or suffering or shame. But she was never really happy and already, in a matter of days, she had reached a stage in our relationship where she no longer really cared about me or any thoughts or ideas I might have had.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Rules of Attraction, Bret Easton Ellis, 1987
The narrator is drawn to a partner's emotional emptiness, seeing it as a contrast to suffering, yet the relationship quickly becomes indifferent and unfulfilling.
In simple terms: She appears emotionally blank, which the narrator initially finds intriguing but leads to disengagement.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when emotional distance signals incompatibility.
Themes
relationships
emotional distance
disillusionment
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- dating
- personal reflection
- relationship counseling
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
modern literature
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate emotional blankness with mystery?
- How does indifference affect intimacy?
A Different Perspective
The allure of emptiness can mask deeper incompatibility.
