Another chance Quote by D.E. Stevenson
““We agree that it is too late to think of visiting Cousin Ellen today – in fact if we do not hurry home we shall be late for dinner (an eventuality which cannot be contemplated with equanimity). As we near home and the hour advances, I beseech Tim to hurry. He replies indignantly that he will do nothing of the kind; why should we race home, jeopardising our very lives, for the sake of a cantankerous old woman (only he does not say ‘woman’)? Do I realise – he says bitterly – that I am becoming absolutely under the creature’s thumb? Reply that I do realise it. He then says why on earth don’t I get rid of the brute? Reply that I am too frightened of her. Tim says the thing is absolutely preposterous, Cook must go. Fortunately, we arrive just in time for dinner, and it is such an excellent meal that Tim’s heart is softened, and he says we had better give her another chance, but I must take a strong line with her and stand no nonsense. Make no reply to this command as I feel in my bones I shall not be able to comply with it.””
About This Quote
A domestic power struggle where duty, fear, and personal resentment clash over a seemingly trivial family obligation, exposing deeper dynamics of control and moral compromise.
In simple terms: Family obligation versus personal autonomy.
Key Takeaway
Obedience can mask underlying resentment.
Themes
family dynamics
power struggle
moral conflict
fear
obedience
Mood
tense
reflective
wry
Type
dialogue
narrative monologue
When to use this quote
- dinner planning
- family gatherings
- conflict with a demanding relative
- decision to confront or comply
Key Concepts
duty
control
resentment
compromise
Practical Applications
- navigating family expectations
- asserting personal boundaries
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the narrator truly fear— the relative or the loss of harmony?
- How does fear shape the narrator’s willingness to confront authority?
A Different Perspective
The narrator’s fear of confronting the relative may stem from deeper relational dependencies, suggesting that compliance could be a survival strategy rather than genuine agreement.
