--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What was it like?\" I ask. \"Being a…" description: "\"“What was it like?\" I ask. \"Being a serpent.\" He hesitates. \"It was like being trapped in the dark,\" he says. \"I was alone, and my instinct was to lash..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-h_1625445.jpg" --- # What was it like?" I ask. "Being a serpent." He hesitates… ![“What was it like?" I ask. "Being a serpent." He hesitates. "It was like being trapped in the dark," he says. "I was alone, and my instinct was to lash out. I was perhaps not entirely an animal, but neither was I myself. I could not reason. There was only feelings--hatred and terror and the desire…” quote by Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-h_1625445.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-h_1625445.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-h_1625445.jpg) > ““What was it like?" I ask. "Being a serpent." He hesitates. "It was like being trapped in the dark," he says. "I was alone, and my instinct was to lash out. I was perhaps not entirely an animal, but neither was I myself. I could not reason. There was only feelings--hatred and terror and the desire to destroy." I start to speak, but he stops me with a gesture. "And you." He looks at me, his lips curving in something that's not quite a smile; it's more and less than that. "I knew little else, but I always knew you." And when he kisses me, I feel as though I can finally breathe again.”” [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## 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 explores alienation and primal fear, showing how empathy can bridge monstrous and human selves. **In simple terms:** Feeling alone and angry can feel monstrous, but connection offers relief. Key Takeaway Seek empathy to overcome isolation. Themes alienation fear empathy Mood haunting introspective Type literary psychological When to use this quote - personal crisis - conflict resolution - mental health Key Concepts psychology identity otherness Questions to Reflect On - Can you recognize the humanity in those you fear? - What does connection look like for you? A Different Perspective Empathy may be hard to achieve with deep trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cardan-greenbriar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardan-greenbriar/) [Enemies-to-lovers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies-to-lovers/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Holly-black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holly-black/) [Jude-and-cardan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jude-and-cardan/) [Jude-duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jude-duarte/) [Serpent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serpent/) [The-cruel-prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-cruel-prince/) [The-folk-of-the-air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-folk-of-the-air/) [The-queen-of-nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-queen-of-nothing/) ## Related quotes > [“I hate you," I whisper before he can speak. He tilts my face to his. "Say it again," he says as the imps comb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-hate-you-i-whisper-before-he-can-speak-he-tilts-my-face-to-his-say-2/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I missed you," I whisper against his skin and feel dizzy with the intimacy of the admission, feel more naked than when he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-missed-you-i-whisper-against-his-skin-and-feel-dizzy-with-the/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Have I told you how hideous you look tonight?" Cardan asks, leaning back in the elaborately carved chair, the warmth of his words turning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/have-i-told-you-how-hideous-you-look-tonight-cardan-asks-leaning-back/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I hate the way I cling to him, the nails of one hand digging into his back, my thoughts splintering, and the single last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-hate-the-way-i-cling-to-him-the-nails-of-one-hand-digging-into-his/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It's you I love," he says. "I spent much of my life guarding my heart. I guarded it so well that I could behave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-s-you-i-love-he-says-i-spent-much-of-my-life-guarding-my-heart-i/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I hate you," I whisper before he can speak. He tilts my face to his. "Say it again," he says as the imps comb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-hate-you-i-whisper-before-he-can-speak-he-tilts-my-face-to-his-say/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“You didn't hear the story I told," he goes on. "A shame. It featured a handsome boy with a heart of stone and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/you-didn-t-hear-the-story-i-told-he-goes-on-a-shame-it-featured-a/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“And I decided to play the hero. See how it felt. To try." "And?" she asks. "I didn't like it," he admits. "Henceforth, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/and-i-decided-to-play-the-hero-see-how-it-felt-to-try-and-she-asks-i/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Kiss me. Kiss me until I'm sick of it.” ― Holly Black, The Cruel Prince”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kiss-me-kiss-me-until-i-m-sick-of-it-holly-black-the-cruel-prince/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“He kisses me hard, tells me between frenzied kisses, 'You feel so good, beautiful, beautiful, sweet girl. Feel how much I want you.' He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-r-grey/he-kisses-me-hard-tells-me-between-frenzied-kisses-you-feel-so-good/) [S.R. Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-r-grey/) > [“So I am to sit here and feed you information,” Cardan says, leaning against a hickory tree. “And you’re to go charm royalty? That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/so-i-am-to-sit-here-and-feed-you-information-cardan-says-leaning/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Let's have a toast. To the incompetence of our enemies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-s-have-a-toast-to-the-incompetence-of-our-enemies/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/most-of-all-i-hate-you-because-i-think-of-you-often-it-s-disgusting/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“The odd thing about ambition is this: You can acquire it like a fever, but it is not so easy to shed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/the-odd-thing-about-ambition-is-this-you-can-acquire-it-like-a-fever/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Instead of being afraid, I could become something to fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/instead-of-being-afraid-i-could-become-something-to-fear/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## More by Holly Black > [“What they don’t realize is this: Yes, they frighten me, but I have always been scared, since the day I got here. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-they-don-t-realize-is-this-yes-they-frighten-me-but-i-have/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [When you don't know what you're searching for, you have to look absolutely everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/when-you-don-t-know-what-you-re-searching-for-you-have-to-look/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-makes-a-snorting-sound-then-turns-to-me-i-am-sure-that-wren/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [That’s family for you. Can’t live with them, can’t murder them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-s-family-for-you-can-t-live-with-them-can-t-murder-them/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No, I won't help you. No I won't hear you explain why I should. It really is a magical word: no. You say whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-i-won-t-help-you-no-i-won-t-hear-you-explain-why-i-should-it/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Let her alone,' said the enkanto, 'or I will curse you blind, lame, and worse.' The old man laughed. 'I'm a curse breaker, fool.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-her-alone-said-the-enkanto-or-i-will-curse-you-blind-lame-and/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“lt's an honor and a delight to meet you and a tragedy you're here”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/lt-s-an-honor-and-a-delight-to-meet-you-and-a-tragedy-you-re-here/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No fire at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-fire-at-all/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“His wax-white skin was cool to the touch when she brushed his neck to find the knot of cloth. She'd never been this close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/his-wax-white-skin-was-cool-to-the-touch-when-she-brushed-his-neck-to/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [So what are you really wearing?" The words left her mouth before she could consider them. She winced. He didn't seem to mind; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/so-what-are-you-really-wearing-the-words-left-her-mouth-before-she/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I grab a chair. "I don't mean to pry," I say, "but we're in a hospital. You sure you're fine?" She sighs heavily. "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-grab-a-chair-i-don-t-mean-to-pry-i-say-but-we-re-in-a-hospital-you/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Kaye: You know what the sun looks like? Janet: No, What? Kaye: Like he slit his wrists in a bathtub and the blood is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kaye-you-know-what-the-sun-looks-like-janet-no-what-kaye-like-he-slit/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“That was how she felt, right then. As if there was too much of her, as if her skin was tight with muchness. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-was-how-she-felt-right-then-as-if-there-was-too-much-of-her-as/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It was a vow, a piece of a chant, their scripture, something they took so seriously that saying it aloud embarrassed them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-was-a-vow-a-piece-of-a-chant-their-scripture-something-they-took/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Some broken things stay broken”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/some-broken-things-stay-broken/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Explore all 666 Holly Black quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## More Cardan-greenbriar quotes > [“Oak gave up his room so they could sleep there, and although the bed is small, Cardan cannot mind when he takes Jude in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/oak-gave-up-his-room-so-they-could-sleep-there-and-although-the-bed/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Are you angry about-' He cuts himself off, looking at my face more carefully. 'No, you're afraid. But why would you be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/are-you-angry-about-he-cuts-himself-off-looking-at-my-face-more/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Then Cardan comes in to view, a fond smile on his lips. When he speaks, he does so in a conspiratorial whisper. 'When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/then-cardan-comes-in-to-view-a-fond-smile-on-his-lips-when-he-speaks/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“He realizes he doesn't want to play this game, once so familiar to him. He has no interest in trading barbs. He has no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/he-realizes-he-doesn-t-want-to-play-this-game-once-so-familiar-to-him/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Kill him, a part of me says, a part I remember from the night I took him captive. Kill him before he makes you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kill-him-a-part-of-me-says-a-part-i-remember-from-the-night-i-took/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I have thought and thought since you were gone, and there is something I wish to say.' Cardan's face is serious, almost grave, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-have-thought-and-thought-since-you-were-gone-and-there-is-something/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It is said that faerie children are not like mortal children. They need little in the way of love. They need not be tucked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-is-said-that-faerie-children-are-not-like-mortal-children-they/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“You should go.' 'This is my room,' he points out, affronted. 'And that's my wife.' 'So you keep telling everyone,' the Bomb says. 'But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/you-should-go-this-is-my-room-he-points-out-affronted-and-that-s-my/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Jude, he'd said, running a hand up my calf, are you afraid of me?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/jude-he-d-said-running-a-hand-up-my-calf-are-you-afraid-of-me/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“The Roach clasps his hand on the back of my neck with a laugh. 'You did good, kid, you know that? You came out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/the-roach-clasps-his-hand-on-the-back-of-my-neck-with-a-laugh-you-did/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I recall that your hands were on her, but her eyes were on me,' Cardan returns.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-recall-that-your-hands-were-on-her-but-her-eyes-were-on-me-cardan/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Madoc says you will duel for love,' I say. 'Whose?' he asks, frowning. There is no banquet too abundant for a starving man. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-says-you-will-duel-for-love-i-say-whose-he-asks-frowning-there/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Kiss me. Kiss me until I'm sick of it.” ― Holly Black, The Cruel Prince”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kiss-me-kiss-me-until-i-m-sick-of-it-holly-black-the-cruel-prince/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“How do people like us take off our armour? One piece at a time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/how-do-people-like-us-take-off-our-armour-one-piece-at-a-time/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“He grabs hold of my wrist. I am shocked by the sensation of his skin warm against mine. 'Take care,' he says, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/he-grabs-hold-of-my-wrist-i-am-shocked-by-the-sensation-of-his-skin/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Browse all 86 Cardan-greenbriar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cardan-greenbriar/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What was it like?\" I ask. \"Being a serpent.\" He hesitates. \"It was like being trapped in the dark,\" he says. \"I was alone, and my instinct was to lash out. I was perhaps not entirely an animal, but neither was I myself. I could not reason. There was only feelings--hatred and terror and the desire to destroy.\" I start to speak, but he stops me with a gesture. \"And you.\" He looks at me, his lips curving in something that's not quite a smile; it's more and less than that. \"I knew little else, but I always knew you.\" And when he kisses me, I feel as though I can finally breathe again.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Holly Black" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-he-hesitates-it-was-like-being/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cardan-greenbriar" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-he-hesitates-it-was-like-being/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-h_1625445.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-h_1625445.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc8/holly-black-329_cardan-greenbriar_what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-h_1625445.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What was it like?\" I ask. \"Being a serpent.\" He hesitates. \"It was like being trapped in the dark,\" he says…” — Holly Black", "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": "Holly Black", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“What was it like?\" I ask....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-he-hesitates-it-was-like-being/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-was-it-like-i-ask-being-a-serpent-he-hesitates-it-was-like-being/#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 } } ] } ```