Children Quote by James Agee
““She is possibly the last child they will bring into living, and she is extremely delicate. She dislikes what little food they have but loves chicken and coffee. So, steadily, they have bumped off a long string of chickens to feed her, and she drinks two or three cups of black and parboiled coffee at every meal. Her eyes shine like burning oil and almost continuously she dances with drunkenness.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Last Child” in *The House of the Seven Gables* adaptation, 1930s
A fragile child, despite scarcity, craves simple comforts, and her vivid presence brings a wild, almost ecstatic energy to a harsh environment.
In simple terms: A delicate child finds joy in small comforts, creating lively contrast.
Key Takeaway
Notice how small comforts can uplift spirits.
Themes
poverty
childhood
comfort
resilience
joy
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- Family meals
- war‑time rationing
- caregiver dynamics
Key Concepts
Scarcity
human spirit
contrast
Questions to Reflect On
- What small comforts sustain you in hardship?
- How does joy appear amid scarcity?
A Different Perspective
The description may romanticize suffering.
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