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Afraid Quote by Charles Dickens

“Here he shook hands with me; not in the common way, but standing at a good distance from me, and lifting my hand up and down like a pump handle, that he was a little afraid of.” quote by Charles Dickens
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““Here he shook hands with me; not in the common way, but standing at a good distance from me, and lifting my hand up and down like a pump handle, that he was a little afraid of.””

Charles Dickens

About This Quote

Source Novel: Great Expectations, 1861

He greeted me cautiously, keeping distance and using a repetitive motion, indicating nervousness.

In simple terms: He was shy and uneasy.

Key Takeaway

Notice subtle body language.

Themes

social anxiety awkwardness communication

Mood

observational empathetic

Type

literary character study

When to use this quote

  • meeting new people
  • interviews
  • social events

Key Concepts

nonverbal cues personal interaction

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does his gesture reveal about his confidence?
  • How do you respond to similar nervous behavior?
A Different Perspective

May misinterpret nervous gestures as hostility.

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