--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sorry. Was it awful?” “Being a rat? No…" description: "\"“Sorry. Was it awful?” “Being a rat? No. First it was disorienting. I was suddenly at ankle-level with everyone. I thought I'd drunk a shrinking potion..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/cassandra-clare-9_cassandra-clare_sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first_2544725.jpg" --- # Sorry. Was it awful?” “Being a rat? No. First it was… ![“Sorry. Was it awful?” “Being a rat? No. First it was disorienting. I was suddenly at ankle-level with everyone. I thought I'd drunk a shrinking potion, but I couldn't figure out why I had this urge to chew used gum wrappers.” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/cassandra-clare-9_cassandra-clare_sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first_2544725.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/cassandra-clare-9_cassandra-clare_sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first_2544725.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/cassandra-clare-9_cassandra-clare_sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first_2544725.jpg) > ““Sorry. Was it awful?” “Being a rat? No. First it was disorienting. I was suddenly at ankle-level with everyone. I thought I'd drunk a shrinking potion, but I couldn't figure out why I had this urge to chew used gum wrappers.”” [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being thrust into a strange, low‑status role can feel disorienting, yet it reveals hidden instincts and humor. **In simple terms:** Sudden change feels odd but shows inner traits. Key Takeaway Embrace odd situations to learn about yourself. Themes adaptation humor self‑discovery Mood reflective playful Type narrative philosophical When to use this quote - first day at a new job - unexpected social settings - role‑play games Key Concepts identity crisis social hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - What does the gum‑wrapper urge symbolize? - How do you cope when feeling out of place? A Different Perspective The absurdity may mask deeper trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cassandra-clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cassandra-clare/) [City of bones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/city-of-bones/) [Clary fray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clary-fray/) [Simon lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simon-lewis/) ## Related quotes > [I thought you were a drunk." "A drunk?" "Bloodshot eyes, dirty clothes, getting home in the wee hours of the morning, making a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-howard/i-thought-you-were-a-drunk-a-drunk-bloodshot-eyes-dirty-clothes/) [Linda Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-howard/) > [Ever look at your ex and thought 'Was I drunk during our whole relationship?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ever-look-at-your-ex-and-thought-was-i-drunk-during-our-whole/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Last night you left me and slept your own deep sleep. Tonight you turn and turn. I say, 'You and I will be together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/last-night-you-left-me-and-slept-your-own-deep-sleep-tonight-you-turn/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“If you insist on disavowing that which is ugly about what you do, you will never learn from your mistakes - Magnus Bane”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-insist-on-disavowing-that-which-is-ugly-about-what-you-do-you/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Maybe they didn't make vampires out of ugly people. Or maybe ugly people just didn't want to live forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-they-didn-t-make-vampires-out-of-ugly-people-or-maybe-ugly/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Take the Cup, Sophia Collins,"she said, and the room was breathlessly silent. The Council chamber was not full, but the row Tessa sat at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/take-the-cup-sophia-collins-she-said-and-the-room-was-breathlessly/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“ I am so screwed. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-am-so-screwed/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He understands why people hold hands: he’d always thought it was about possessiveness, saying This is mine . But it’s about maintaining contact. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-understands-why-people-hold-hands-he-d-always-thought-it-was-about/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Just like every other demon. Jace felt a flicker of something — boredom? — as he reached for a seraph blade. All demons were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/just-like-every-other-demon-jace-felt-a-flicker-of-something-boredom/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Her green eyes flutter all the way open, and she looks amused. It pricks his ego slightly. After that kiss, shouldn’t she be fainting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/her-green-eyes-flutter-all-the-way-open-and-she-looks-amused-it/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [What's an eBay?" "A mythical place of great magical power." - Jace Wayland and Clary Fray (City of Bones)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-s-an-ebay-a-mythical-place-of-great-magical-power-jace-wayland/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“What’s this?” Alec said, looking baffled. “It’s a girl,” Jace said. He moved closer to the redhead, who stood with her feet braced apart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-s-this-alec-said-looking-baffled-it-s-a-girl-jace-said-he-moved/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Dear God . . . the dread hour is nigh." - Jace Wayland”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/dear-god-the-dread-hour-is-nigh-jace-wayland/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Well, when I was five, I wanted my mother to let me go around and around inside a dryer with the clothes,” Clary said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/well-when-i-was-five-i-wanted-my-mother-to-let-me-go-around-and/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I don't think I ever intended specifically to write for the young adult market. It's just that when the idea for City of Bones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-don-t-think-i-ever-intended-specifically-to-write-for-the-young/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More by Cassandra Clare > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Lex malla, lex nulla,” said Julian with a regretful wave of his hand. It was the Blackthorn family motto: A bad law is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lex-malla-lex-nulla-said-julian-with-a-regretful-wave-of-his-hand-it/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I'm memorable, its true." -Magnus, pg.229-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-m-memorable-its-true-magnus-pg-229/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There is more to living than not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-is-more-to-living-than-not-dying/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Unless there was a reason for me to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/unless-there-was-a-reason-for-me-to-stay/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Love didn't make you weak, it made you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-didn-t-make-you-weak-it-made-you-stronger/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I firmly believe that you can't get a good movie without risking a bad movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-firmly-believe-that-you-can-t-get-a-good-movie-without-risking-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Explore all 4,049 Cassandra Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More Cassandra-clare quotes > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Clary, Despite everything, I can't bear the thought of this ring being lost forever, any more then I can bear the thought of leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clary-despite-everything-i-can-t-bear-the-thought-of-this-ring-being/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I did not think you would be angry, Jem burst out, and it was like ice cracking across a frozen waterfall, freeing a torrent.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-did-not-think-you-would-be-angry-jem-burst-out-and-it-was-like-ice/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I think everyone is strong and weak in different ways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-think-everyone-is-strong-and-weak-in-different-ways/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Love potions? For Will 'erondale? 'Tain't my way to turn down payment, but any man who looks like you 'as got no need of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-potions-for-will-erondale-tain-t-my-way-to-turn-down-payment-but/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“If love were food, I would have starved on the bones you gave me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-love-were-food-i-would-have-starved-on-the-bones-you-gave-me/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“GOD HAS NOT MERCY AND NOR WILL I' - The Midnight Heir (The Bane Chronicles, 4) by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/god-has-not-mercy-and-nor-will-i-the-midnight-heir-the-bane/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Remember, Mark is in charge.” “Does he know that?” said Livvy. Julian sought Mark in the crowd on the steps. He was standing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/remember-mark-is-in-charge-does-he-know-that-said-livvy-julian-sought/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Lord Montgomery considers nothing but his own desires," he said in a gravelly voice. "I'll tell you something else. Lord Montgomery has a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lord-montgomery-considers-nothing-but-his-own-desires-he-said-in-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“But you've never drunk fresh blood. Have you?" Simon raised his own eyebrows in response. "Well, aside from mine, of course," Jace said. "And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/but-you-ve-never-drunk-fresh-blood-have-you-simon-raised-his-own/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I have not stopped loving her, nor my parabatai; love does not stop when someone dies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-have-not-stopped-loving-her-nor-my-parabatai-love-does-not-stop/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Yep. Do you want anything?" "I've always kind of wanted a Batman clock that says 'WAKE UP, BOY WONDER' when it goes off," he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/yep-do-you-want-anything-i-ve-always-kind-of-wanted-a-batman-clock/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Well, when I was five, I wanted my mother to let me go around and around inside a dryer with the clothes,” Clary said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/well-when-i-was-five-i-wanted-my-mother-to-let-me-go-around-and/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He's not my warlock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-s-not-my-warlock/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Jordan slammed the coatrack down on the ground and sighed. "if you were a vampire, this would have been a lot more useful." "yes,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/jordan-slammed-the-coatrack-down-on-the-ground-and-sighed-if-you-were/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Browse all 185 Cassandra-clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cassandra-clare/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Sorry. Was it awful?” “Being a rat? No. First it was disorienting. I was suddenly at ankle-level with everyone. I thought I'd drunk a shrinking potion, but I couldn't figure out why I had this urge to chew used gum wrappers.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cassandra Clare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first-it-was-disorienting-i-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cassandra-clare" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first-it-was-disorienting-i-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/cassandra-clare-9_cassandra-clare_sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first_2544725.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/cassandra-clare-9_cassandra-clare_sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first_2544725.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/cassandra-clare-9_cassandra-clare_sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first_2544725.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sorry. Was it awful?” “Being a rat? No. First it was disorienting. I was suddenly at ankle-level with…” — Cassandra Clare", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Cassandra Clare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Sorry. Was it awful?” “Being a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first-it-was-disorienting-i-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/sorry-was-it-awful-being-a-rat-no-first-it-was-disorienting-i-was/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```