--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She was not certain what she wanted from…" description: "\"“ She was not certain what she wanted from life, or what to expect from it, for she had seen so little of it, but she was sure that in some way - becau..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/evan-s-connell-52564_life_she-was-not-certain-what-she-wanted-from_1876848.png" --- # She was not certain what she wanted from life, or what to… ![“She was not certain what she wanted from life, or what to expect from it, for she had seen so little of it, but she was sure that in some way - because she willed it to be so - her wants and her expectations were the same. For a while after their marriage she was in such demand that it was not…” quote by Evan S. Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/evan-s-connell-52564_life_she-was-not-certain-what-she-wanted-from_1876848.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/evan-s-connell-52564_life_she-was-not-certain-what-she-wanted-from_1876848.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/evan-s-connell-52564_life_she-was-not-certain-what-she-wanted-from_1876848.png) > ““ She was not certain what she wanted from life, or what to expect from it, for she had seen so little of it, but she was sure that in some way - because she willed it to be so - her wants and her expectations were the same. For a while after their marriage she was in such demand that it was not unpleasant when he fell asleep. Presently, however, he began sleeping all night, and it was then she awoke more frequently, and looked into the darkness, wondering about the nature of men, doubtful of the future, until at last there came a night when she shook her husband awake and spoke of her own desire. Affably he placed one of his long white arms around her waist; she turned to him then, contentedly, expectantly, and secure. However, nothing else occurred, and in a few minutes he had gone back to sleep. This was the night Mrs. Bridge concluded that while marriage might be an equitable affair, love itself was not.”” [Evan S. Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-s-connell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage reflects a marriage where practical partnership exists, but emotional intimacy and love remain unfulfilled, leading to disillusionment. **In simple terms:** Marriage can be practical but lack love. Key Takeaway Recognize emotional needs in relationships. Themes marriage love disillusionment gender roles expectations Mood thoughtful reflective somber Type literary philosophical relationship. When to use this quote - marriage counseling - personal reflection - relationship assessment - seeking fulfillment Key Concepts emotional intimacy existential doubt social expectations Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel your relationship is equitable but lacking love? - How can partners nurture emotional connection? A Different Perspective Love may not develop without mutual vulnerability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concluded Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concluded-marriage-2625785/) [Expectations Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations-marriage-2625783/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Marriage Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-demand-2625786/) [Night Mrs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night-mrs-2625787/) [Shook Husband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shook-husband-2625784/) ## Related quotes > [“We couldn't even hear you, in the night… No one could. No one lives any nearer than town. 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That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) ## More by Evan S. Connell > [“Just across from Bismarck stood Fort Lincoln where friends and relatives of Custer’s dead cavalrymen still lived, and these emigrating Sioux could perceive such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-s-connell/just-across-from-bismarck-stood-fort-lincoln-where-friends-and/) [Evan S. Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-s-connell/) > [“You’re not as cold as you pretend to be,’ she said. ‘I think your doors open in different places, that’s all. Most people just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-s-connell/you-re-not-as-cold-as-you-pretend-to-be-she-said-i-think-your-doors/) [Evan S. Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-s-connell/) > [“Captain Jack, that volatile Modoc, seems to have been handled still more causally. After being hanged and buried, Jack was exhumed, embalmed, and exhibited…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-s-connell/captain-jack-that-volatile-modoc-seems-to-have-been-handled-still/) [Evan S. 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Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-s-connell/) [Explore all 7 Evan S. Connell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-s-connell/) ## More Life quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. 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For a while after their marriage she was in such demand that it was not unpleasant when he fell asleep. Presently, however, he began sleeping all night, and it was then she awoke more frequently, and looked into the darkness, wondering about the nature of men, doubtful of the future, until at last there came a night when she shook her husband awake and spoke of her own desire. Affably he placed one of his long white arms around her waist; she turned to him then, contentedly, expectantly, and secure. However, nothing else occurred, and in a few minutes he had gone back to sleep. This was the night Mrs. Bridge concluded that while marriage might be an equitable affair, love itself was not.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Evan S. 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