Dark room Quote by Charles Dickens
““Call him!” echoed Barnaby, sitting upright upon the floor, and staring vacantly at Gabriel, as he thrust his hair back from his face. “But who can make him come! He calls me, and makes me go where he will. He goes on before, and I follow. He’s the master, and I’m the man. Is that the truth, Grip?” The raven gave a short, comfortable, confidential kind of croak; — a most expressive croak, which seemed to say, “You needn’t let these fellows into our secrets. We understand each other. It’s all right.” “I make him come!” cried Barnaby, pointing to the bird. “Him, who never goes to sleep, or so much as winks!—Why, any time of night, you may see his eyes in my dark room, shining like two sparks. And every night, and all night too, he’s broad awake, talking to himself, thinking what he shall do to-morrow, where we shall go, and what he shall steal, and hide, and bury. I make him come! Ha, ha, ha!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Charles Dickens, 1870 (unfinished)
A character obsessively follows a mysterious master, seeking control and understanding through a raven’s cryptic communication.
In simple terms: Obsession with a hidden authority and secret communication.
Key Takeaway
Question the authority you follow.
Themes
obsession
control
communication
mystery
authority
Mood
dark
introspective
enigmatic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- psychotherapy
- creative writing
- role‑play games
- spiritual seeking
Key Concepts
psychology of devotion
symbolic animals
inner dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the raven symbolize for the speaker?
- How does blind devotion affect autonomy?
A Different Perspective
Raven’s “croak” may be misinterpreted as consent.
