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Ambush Quote by Cornell Woolrich

“He's prowling back and forth like a lion with distemper now. There's a shiny streak down one side of his face. "I shouldn't have let her go ahead - I ought to be hung! Something's gone wrong. I can't stand this any more!" he says with a choked sound. "I'm starting now -" "But how are you -"…” quote by Cornell Woolrich
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““He's prowling back and forth like a lion with distemper now. There's a shiny streak down one side of his face. "I shouldn't have let her go ahead - I ought to be hung! Something's gone wrong. I can't stand this any more!" he says with a choked sound. "I'm starting now -" "But how are you -" "Spring for it and fire as I go if they try to stop me." And then as he barges out, the fat lady waddling solicitously after him, "Stay there; take it if she calls - tell her I'm on the way-" He plunges straight at the street-door from all the way back in the hall, like a fullback headed for a touchdown. That's the best way. Gun bedded in his pocket, but hand gripping it ready to let fly through lining and all. He slaps the door out of his way without slowing and skitters out along the building, head and shoulders defensively lowered. It *was* the taxi, you bet. No sound from it, at least not at this distance, just a thin bluish haze slowly spreading out around it that might be gas-fumes if its engine were turning; and at his end a long row of un-colored spurts - of dust and stone-splinters - following him along the wall of the flat he's tearing away from. Each succeeding one a half yard too far behind him, smacking into where he was a second ago. And they never catch up. ("Jane Brown's Body")””

Cornell Woolrich

About This Quote

Source Short Story: “Jane Brown’s Body”, 1945

A frantic, violent escape illustrates desperation and the chaotic pursuit of freedom.

In simple terms: A desperate escape scene shows chaotic urgency.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when panic drives reckless actions.

Themes

danger desperation escape violence

Mood

tense dramatic

Type

literary fictional

When to use this quote

  • emergency response
  • high‑stress decision making

Key Concepts

psychology survival instinct chaos

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives a person to act so desperately?
  • How can calm be restored in crisis?
A Different Perspective

Violence may not resolve underlying problems.

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