--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Was it a doubt - a fear - a wandering…" description: "\"“Was it a doubt - a fear - a wandering uncertainty seeking rest, but finding none - so tear-blinded were its eyes - Mr. Thornton, instead of being shoc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/elizabeth-gaskell-894_dark-place_was-it-a-doubt-a-fear-a-wandering-uncert_1203020.jpg" --- # Was it a doubt - a fear - a wandering uncertainty seeking… ![“Was it a doubt - a fear - a wandering uncertainty seeking rest, but finding none - so tear-blinded were its eyes - Mr. Thornton, instead of being shocked, seemed to have through that very stage of thought himself, and could suggest where the exact ray of light was to be found, which should make…” quote by Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/elizabeth-gaskell-894_dark-place_was-it-a-doubt-a-fear-a-wandering-uncert_1203020.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/elizabeth-gaskell-894_dark-place_was-it-a-doubt-a-fear-a-wandering-uncert_1203020.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/elizabeth-gaskell-894_dark-place_was-it-a-doubt-a-fear-a-wandering-uncert_1203020.jpg) > ““Was it a doubt - a fear - a wandering uncertainty seeking rest, but finding none - so tear-blinded were its eyes - Mr. Thornton, instead of being shocked, seemed to have through that very stage of thought himself, and could suggest where the exact ray of light was to be found, which should make the dark places plain. Man of action as he was, busy in the world's great battle, there was a deeper religion binding him to God in his heart, in spite of his strong willfulness, through all his mistakes, than Mr. Hale ever dreamed.”” [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character reflects on deep spiritual struggle, balancing action with inner faith despite errors. **In simple terms:** He wrestles with faith and duty. Key Takeaway Seek inner guidance while acting in the world. Themes faith inner conflict action mistakes Mood reflective serious Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal crisis - leadership decisions - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts spirituality human frailty redemption Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile personal belief with external responsibilities? - Can action be guided by faith without neglecting reality? A Different Perspective Faith may not resolve all practical problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battle Deeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle-deeper-3616228/) [Dark place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-place/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Doubt Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt-fear/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Mr thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mr-thornton/) [Uncertainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty/) ## Related quotes > [Mr Thornton would rather have heard that she was suffering the natural sorrow. In the first place, there was selfishness enough in him to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/mr-thornton-would-rather-have-heard-that-she-was-suffering-the/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Mr. Thornton felt that in this influx no one was speaking to Margaret, and was restless under this apparent neglect. But he never went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/mr-thornton-felt-that-in-this-influx-no-one-was-speaking-to-margaret/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Mr. Thornton," said Margaret, shaking all over with her passion, "go down this instant, if you are not a coward. Go down and face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/mr-thornton-said-margaret-shaking-all-over-with-her-passion-go-down/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Oh yes!' and suddenly the wintry frost-bound look of care had left Mr. Thornton's face, as if some soft summer gale had blown all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/oh-yes-and-suddenly-the-wintry-frost-bound-look-of-care-had-left-mr/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“Mr Thornton sighed as he took in all this with one of his sudden comprehensive glances. And then he turned his back to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/mr-thornton-sighed-as-he-took-in-all-this-with-one-of-his-sudden/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“Margaret opened the door and went in with the straight, fearless, dignified presence habitual to her. She felt no awkwardness; she had too much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/margaret-opened-the-door-and-went-in-with-the-straight-fearless/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [How was it that he haunted her imagination so persistently? What could it be? Why did she care for what he thought, in spite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/how-was-it-that-he-haunted-her-imagination-so-persistently-what-could/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [If Mr. Thornton was a fool in the morning, as he assured himself at least twenty times he was, he did not grow much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/if-mr-thornton-was-a-fool-in-the-morning-as-he-assured-himself-at/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [He shook hands with Margaret. He knew it was the first time their hands had met, though she was perfectly unconscious of the fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/he-shook-hands-with-margaret-he-knew-it-was-the-first-time-their/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“Now, in Mr. Thornton’s face the straight brows fell over the clear deep-set earnest eyes, which, without being unpleasantly sharp, seemed intent enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/now-in-mr-thornton-s-face-the-straight-brows-fell-over-the-clear-deep/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Oh, Mr. Thornton, I am not good enough!' 'Not good enough! Don't mock my own deep feeling of unworthiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/oh-mr-thornton-i-am-not-good-enough-not-good-enough-don-t-mock-my-own/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [It was her brother,' said Mr. Thornton to himself. 'I am glad.I may never see her again; but it is comfort-a relief-to know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/it-was-her-brother-said-mr-thornton-to-himself-i-am-glad-i-may-never/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [She had a bracelet on one taper arm, which would fall down over her round wrist. Mr. Thornton watched the replacing of this troublesome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/she-had-a-bracelet-on-one-taper-arm-which-would-fall-down-over-her/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Neither loss of father, nor loss of mother, dear as she was to Mr Thornton, could have poisoned the remembrance of the weeks, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/neither-loss-of-father-nor-loss-of-mother-dear-as-she-was-to-mr/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Thoughts of doubt and fear are pathways to failure. When you conquer negative attitudes of doubt and fear you conquer failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-adams/thoughts-of-doubt-and-fear-are-pathways-to-failure-when-you-conquer/) [Bryan Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-adams/) ## More by Elizabeth Gaskell > [“Osborne and Roger knowing that the wife of the former was a Frenchwoman, and, conscious of each other's knowledge, felt doubly awkward; while Molly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/osborne-and-roger-knowing-that-the-wife-of-the-former-was-a/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Well, He had known what love was-a sharp pang, a fierce experience, in the midst of whose flames he was struggling! but, through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/well-he-had-known-what-love-was-a-sharp-pang-a-fierce-experience-in/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [In all disappointments sympathy is a great balm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/in-all-disappointments-sympathy-is-a-great-balm/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [But Margaret went less abroad, among machinery and men; saw less of power in its public effect, and, as it happened, she was thrown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/but-margaret-went-less-abroad-among-machinery-and-men-saw-less-of/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“And besides, in the matter of friendship, I have observed that the disappointment here arises chiefly, not from liking our friends too well, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/and-besides-in-the-matter-of-friendship-i-have-observed-that-the/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [What other people may think of the rightness or wrongness is nothing in comparison to my own deep knowledge, my innate conviction that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/what-other-people-may-think-of-the-rightness-or-wrongness-is-nothing/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“The first question sobbed out by his choking voice, oppressed with emotion, was-- "Where is she?" They led him to the room where his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/the-first-question-sobbed-out-by-his-choking-voice-oppressed-with/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Wearily she went to bed, wearily she arose in four or five hours' time. But with the morning came hope, and a brighter view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/wearily-she-went-to-bed-wearily-she-arose-in-four-or-five-hours-time/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [No one loves me, - no one cares for me, but you, mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/no-one-loves-me-no-one-cares-for-me-but-you-mother/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [I won't say she was silly, but I think one of us was silly, and it wasn't me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/i-won-t-say-she-was-silly-but-i-think-one-of-us-was-silly-and-it-wasn/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Mr. Thorton love Margaret! Why, Margraret would never think of him, I'm sure! Such a thing has never entered her head." "Entering her heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/mr-thorton-love-margaret-why-margraret-would-never-think-of-him-i-m/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“He never looked at her; and yet, the careful avoidance of his eyes betokened that in some way he knew exactly where, if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/he-never-looked-at-her-and-yet-the-careful-avoidance-of-his-eyes/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“Ay! but mother's words are scarce, and weigh heavy. Father's liker me, and we talk a deal o' rubble; but mother's words are liker…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/ay-but-mother-s-words-are-scarce-and-weigh-heavy-father-s-liker-me/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Margaret liked this smile; it was the first thing she had admired in this new friend of her father's; and the opposition of character,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/margaret-liked-this-smile-it-was-the-first-thing-she-had-admired-in/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [Don’t be afraid,” she said, coldly, “ as far as love may go she may be worthy of you. It must have taken a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/don-t-be-afraid-she-said-coldly-as-far-as-love-may-go-she-may-be/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) [Explore all 330 Elizabeth Gaskell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) ## More Dark place quotes > [All comedy comes from a dark place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katt-williams/all-comedy-comes-from-a-dark-place/) [Katt Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katt-williams/) > [Social media has become a dark place, and the sites need to clean up their act if they want people to keep using them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-reid/social-media-has-become-a-dark-place-and-the-sites-need-to-clean-up/) [Susanna Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-reid/) > [“Hope brings light into dark places.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/hope-brings-light-into-dark-places/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“I see now that when Norma flowered in our garden I became a weed, allowed to exist only where I would not be seen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-keyes/i-see-now-that-when-norma-flowered-in-our-garden-i-became-a-weed/) [Daniel Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-keyes/) > [“In the middle of the cemetery is a grassy plane, strangely vacant. There are no granite tombs or crumbling concrete, just a sun-washed treeless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-caldwell-crosby/in-the-middle-of-the-cemetery-is-a-grassy-plane-strangely-vacant/) [Molly Caldwell Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-caldwell-crosby/) > [“Sometimes people walk away from love because it is so beautiful that it terrifies them. Sometimes they leave because the connection shines a bright…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-brown/sometimes-people-walk-away-from-love-because-it-is-so-beautiful-that/) [Jeff Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-brown/) > [Being a correspondent at the Vietnam war for me was about exposing myself to danger but it wasn't completely self-serving. I felt that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-caputo/being-a-correspondent-at-the-vietnam-war-for-me-was-about-exposing/) [Philip Caputo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-caputo/) > [“If you're going into a dark place... you should take a bright light, and shine it on everything. If you don't want to see,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/if-you-re-going-into-a-dark-place-you-should-take-a-bright-light-and/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Sometimes your destiny takes you to dark places where you'd rather not be, but destiny, as they say, is destiny.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/sometimes-your-destiny-takes-you-to-dark-places-where-you-d-rather/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [When you're writing in first person, like I do, you can't give a fluffy version of someone's thoughts because even the most prudish woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-o-porter/when-you-re-writing-in-first-person-like-i-do-you-can-t-give-a-fluffy/) [Dawn O'Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-o-porter/) > ['This will pass and it always does.' I consistently have to keep telling myself that because being an entrepreneur means that you go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/majora-carter/this-will-pass-and-it-always-does-i-consistently-have-to-keep-telling/) [Majora Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/majora-carter/) > [“Don’t be afraid of your dark places,” Mom told her. “If you can shine a light on them, you’ll find treasure there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/don-t-be-afraid-of-your-dark-places-mom-told-her-if-you-can-shine-a/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [“Yes, for every child, rich or poor, there's a time of running through a dark place; and there's no word for a child's fear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-agee/yes-for-every-child-rich-or-poor-there-s-a-time-of-running-through-a/) [James Agee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-agee/) > [The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-world-is-indeed-full-of-peril-and-in-it-there-are-many-dark/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All I would say is that when I've been very down or having kind of a tough time in my life, certain films or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-friend/all-i-would-say-is-that-when-i-ve-been-very-down-or-having-kind-of-a/) [Rupert Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-friend/) [Browse all 410 Dark place quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-place/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Was it a doubt - a fear - a wandering uncertainty seeking rest, but finding none - so tear-blinded were its eyes - Mr. Thornton, instead of being shocked, seemed to have through that very stage of thought himself, and could suggest where the exact ray of light was to be found, which should make the dark places plain. 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