Hurt Quote by Diana Wynne Jones
“I only want to catch you,” Michael explained. “I won’t hurt you.” “No! No!” the star crackled desperately. “That’s wrong! I’m supposed to die!” “But I could save you if you’d let me catch you,” Michael told it gently. “No!” cried the star. “I’d rather die!”
About This Quote
Source Short story: The Star‑Catcher, unpublished collection, 1990
A star, desperate to survive, refuses a rescue that would end its existence, preferring death over being caught.
In simple terms: A star chooses death rather than being saved.
Respect autonomy even when it seems self‑destructive.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- medical ethics
- intervention decisions
- emotional conflict
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Should we intervene when someone chooses death?
- How do we balance compassion with respect for wishes?
The star’s perspective may anthropomorphize a non‑sentient object.