--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He was so very large and so very gruff…" description: "\"He was so very large and so very gruff that he rather terrified her, but he always behaved correctly in public, and there was a lot to be said for a ma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94b/gail-carriger-1051_beast_he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-t_1549845.jpg" --- # He was so very large and so very gruff that he rather… ![“He was so very large and so very gruff that he rather terrified her, but he always behaved correctly in public, and there was a lot to be said for a man who sported such well-tailored jackets---even if he did change into a ferocious beast once a month.” quote by Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94b/gail-carriger-1051_beast_he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-t_1549845.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94b/gail-carriger-1051_beast_he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-t_1549845.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94b/gail-carriger-1051_beast_he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-t_1549845.jpg) > “He was so very large and so very gruff that he rather terrified her, but he always behaved correctly in public, and there was a lot to be said for a man who sported such well-tailored jackets---even if he did change into a ferocious beast once a month.” [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A powerful, intimidating man appears gentle publicly but transforms into a dangerous beast monthly, highlighting duality of appearance versus hidden nature. **In simple terms:** Appearances can hide a fierce side. Key Takeaway Recognize that people may have hidden depths. Themes identity dual nature appearance vs reality transformation Mood cautious curious alert Type narrative character study fantasy. When to use this quote - workplace interactions - first impressions - relationship building - conflict resolution Key Concepts mythical creatures social expectations secret identities Questions to Reflect On - What signs might reveal a hidden side? - How do you protect yourself from unexpected transformations? A Different Perspective Assuming safety based on public behavior can be misleading. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) [Ferocious Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ferocious-beast-1274427/) [Gruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gruff-388556/) [Gruff Terrified](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gruff-terrified-5790384/) [Jackets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jackets/) [Large Gruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/large-gruff-5790382/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Months](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/months/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Terrified Behaved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrified-behaved-5790383/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [“The peculiarity of pains of this nature, in which that which is pitiless—that is to say, that which is brutalizing—predominates, is to transform a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/the-peculiarity-of-pains-of-this-nature-in-which-that-which-is/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [The public is a ferocious beast; one must either chain it or flee from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/the-public-is-a-ferocious-beast-one-must-either-chain-it-or-flee-from/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [“Gruff and Tackleton was also there, doing the agreeable; with the evident sensation of being as perfectly at home, and as unquestionably in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/gruff-and-tackleton-was-also-there-doing-the-agreeable-with-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I don't know if I would be a good cop. As gruff as I come off, I take things very emotionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-be-a-good-cop-as-gruff-as-i-come-off-i-take/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [Sorry,” he said, his voice thick and gruff. “It’s morning and you’re sitting on me. That’s a combination meant to bring any man down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-lynn/sorry-he-said-his-voice-thick-and-gruff-it-s-morning-and-you-re/) [J. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-lynn/) > [ Phil \[Wood\] was known for having a little bit of a gruff manner, but he was all heart. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/phil-wood-was-known-for-having-a-little-bit-of-a-gruff-manner-but-he/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [I have a gruff character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigitte-bardot/i-have-a-gruff-character/) [Brigitte Bardot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigitte-bardot/) > [Being aloof, gruff, or stern never got anyone anywhere. Who wants to be treated like that? Certainly not you. And surely not the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-d-dosick/being-aloof-gruff-or-stern-never-got-anyone-anywhere-who-wants-to-be/) [Wayne D. Dosick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-d-dosick/) > [“I know he sounds gruff sometimes, but he is just trying to decipher the world." I frown. "Shouldn't that be easy for someone as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-sirois/i-know-he-sounds-gruff-sometimes-but-he-is-just-trying-to-decipher/) [Regina Sirois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-sirois/) > [“The gruff gryphon’s voice turned gentle. “What am I, chopped liver? You beat the crap out of me this afternoon. That pretty much makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thea-harrison/the-gruff-gryphon-s-voice-turned-gentle-what-am-i-chopped-liver-you/) [Thea Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thea-harrison/) > [“He could put up a gruff front and he was no angel, but he was really just trying to hide his sensitivities so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norah-vincent/he-could-put-up-a-gruff-front-and-he-was-no-angel-but-he-was-really/) [Norah Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norah-vincent/) > [Redd Foxx was the same gruff old codger you saw on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charley-pride/redd-foxx-was-the-same-gruff-old-codger-you-saw-on-television/) [Charley Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charley-pride/) > [“You have business here?' the gruff voice asked. Rafe didn't relish the thought of a musket ball piercing his heart. His mother, and scads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-enoch/you-have-business-here-the-gruff-voice-asked-rafe-didn-t-relish-the/) [Suzanne Enoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-enoch/) > [I have a gruff side. This is not exactly news... At the same time, anyone who wants to judge me for this can walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-have-a-gruff-side-this-is-not-exactly-news-at-the-same-time-anyone/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Highland werewolves had a reputation for doing atrocious and highly unwarranted \*things\*, like wearing smoking jackets to the dinner table.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/highland-werewolves-had-a-reputation-for-doing-atrocious-and-highly/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) ## More by Gail Carriger > [“There was a pleasantness to the air and a spirit about the town that did not come from its color, but from some inner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/there-was-a-pleasantness-to-the-air-and-a-spirit-about-the-town-that/) [gail carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [I do not giggle without purpose. Lady Linette says you should never misapply a giggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/i-do-not-giggle-without-purpose-lady-linette-says-you-should-never/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [My Hallway" remarked Lord Akeldama,"Has never seen such lively action. And That, my sugarplums, is saying something!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/my-hallway-remarked-lord-akeldama-has-never-seen-such-lively-action/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Ball?" said one of the Pistons with interest. "We like balls." Dimity gave them her best, most haughty look. "Yes, but are you certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ball-said-one-of-the-pistons-with-interest-we-like-balls-dimity-gave/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Goodness gracious me,' exclaimed Alexia, 'what are you wearing? It looks like the unfortunate progeny of an illicit union between a pair of binoculars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/goodness-gracious-me-exclaimed-alexia-what-are-you-wearing-it-looks/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Ivy waved the wet handkerchief, as much as to say, words cannot possibly articulate my profound distress. Then, because Ivy never settled for meaningful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ivy-waved-the-wet-handkerchief-as-much-as-to-say-words-cannot/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Such poopitations of the heart as you would not believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/such-poopitations-of-the-heart-as-you-would-not-believe/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Lady Maccon cogitated. She would like to encourage this new spirit of social-mindedness. If Felicity needed anything in her life, it was a cause.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/lady-maccon-cogitated-she-would-like-to-encourage-this-new-spirit-of/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Why did you want to go and distract me like that? I was quite in my element and everything.' Conall laughed. 'Someone has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/why-did-you-want-to-go-and-distract-me-like-that-i-was-quite-in-my/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Steampunk is...the love child of Hot Topic and a BBC costume drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/steampunk-is-the-love-child-of-hot-topic-and-a-bbc-costume-drama/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“She wondered if the immortal's avoidance of life's ugliness was a matter of survival or bigotry. Lord Akeldama did so love to know all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/she-wondered-if-the-immortal-s-avoidance-of-life-s-ugliness-was-a/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Sophronia had no idea why Felix was so intent upon her. She had not yet received lessons in seduction, or she might have understood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/sophronia-had-no-idea-why-felix-was-so-intent-upon-her-she-had-not/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Lord Maccon believed that if his trousers were on his legs, and something else was on his torso, he was dressed. The less done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/lord-maccon-believed-that-if-his-trousers-were-on-his-legs-and/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [But we were talking about me and my problems." Sophronia looked Monique up and down gravely. "I don't think we're going to solve those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/but-we-were-talking-about-me-and-my-problems-sophronia-looked-monique/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Nice prong," said Sophronia after a moment. Felix grinned and waggled his eyebrows lasciviously. "Thank you for saying so." Sophronia was instantly suspicious. "You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/nice-prong-said-sophronia-after-a-moment-felix-grinned-and-waggled/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) [Explore all 289 Gail Carriger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) ## More Beast quotes > [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [“Once upon a time, there was a naïve and innocent girl who thought she could tame the beast and live happily ever after. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nenia-campbell/once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-na-ve-and-innocent-girl-who-thought-she/) [Nenia Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nenia-campbell/) > [Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou ow'st the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/is-man-no-more-than-this-consider-him-well-thou-ow-st-the-worm-no/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [In giving us dominion over the animal kingdom God has signified His will that we subdue the beast within ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lancaster-spalding/in-giving-us-dominion-over-the-animal-kingdom-god-has-signified-his/) [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) > [ No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb \[Earth\] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-another-planet-could-have-guessed/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [As a beast of toil an ox is fixed capital. If he is eaten, he no longer functions as an instrument of labour, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/as-a-beast-of-toil-an-ox-is-fixed-capital-if-he-is-eaten-he-no-longer/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [« He squeezed his hands into fists. I picked up a grapefruit-sized rock and handed it to him. It went flying. Home run, Beast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-squeezed-his-hands-into-fists-i-picked-up-a-grapefruit-sized-rock/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [Was man made stupid to see his own stupidity? Is God by definition indifferent, beyond us all? Is the eternal truth man's fighting soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-eberhart/was-man-made-stupid-to-see-his-own-stupidity-is-god-by-definition/) [Richard Eberhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-eberhart/) > [When a man is treated like a beast, he says, 'After all, I'm human.' When he behaves like a beast, he says 'After all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/when-a-man-is-treated-like-a-beast-he-says-after-all-i-m-human-when/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [The American people are incredibly generous and even playful when you open yourself up and feed the media beast until it goes away satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krystal-ball/the-american-people-are-incredibly-generous-and-even-playful-when-you/) [Krystal Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krystal-ball/) > [Wherever I am, I see the yoke on women in some form or another. On some it sits easy for they are but beasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-may-alcott/wherever-i-am-i-see-the-yoke-on-women-in-some-form-or-another-on-some/) [Abby May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-may-alcott/) > [“He's a beast. A monster. And he looks like he wants to devour me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-darhower/he-s-a-beast-a-monster-and-he-looks-like-he-wants-to-devour-me/) [J.M. Darhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-darhower/) > [ Antichrist is the pope and the Turk \[Muslim\] together. A beast full of life must have a body and soul. The spirit or soul… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/antichrist-is-the-pope-and-the-turk-muslim-together-a-beast-full-of/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [My hero among heroes is my grandmother, she's the epitome of strength and I try to mock that strength all the time. She's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeriel-miranda/my-hero-among-heroes-is-my-grandmother-she-s-the-epitome-of-strength/) [Aeriel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeriel-miranda/) > [You've heard tales of beauty and the beast. How a fair maid falls in love with a monster and sees the beauty of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-maitland/you-ve-heard-tales-of-beauty-and-the-beast-how-a-fair-maid-falls-in/) [Karen Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-maitland/) [Browse all 1,640 Beast quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He was so very large and so very gruff that he rather terrified her, but he always behaved correctly in public, and there was a lot to be said for a man who sported such well-tailored jackets---even if he did change into a ferocious beast once a month.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gail Carriger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-that-he-rather-terrified-her/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Beast" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-that-he-rather-terrified-her/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94b/gail-carriger-1051_beast_he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-t_1549845.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94b/gail-carriger-1051_beast_he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-t_1549845.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94b/gail-carriger-1051_beast_he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-t_1549845.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He was so very large and so very gruff that he rather terrified her, but he always behaved correctly in…” — Gail Carriger", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gail Carriger", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He was so very large and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-that-he-rather-terrified-her/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/he-was-so-very-large-and-so-very-gruff-that-he-rather-terrified-her/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```