Anger Quote by Jane Smiley
““Daddy thinks history starts fresh every day, every minute, that time itself begins with the feelings he’s having right now. That’s how he keeps betraying us, why he roars at us with such conviction. We have to stand up to that, and say, at least to ourselves, that what he’s done before is still with us, still right here in this room until there’s true remorse. Nothing will be right until there’s that.” “He looks so, sort of, weakened.” “Weakened is not enough. Destroyed isn’t enough. He’s got to repent and feel humiliation and regret. I won’t be satisfied until he knows what he is.” "Do we know what we are?" "We know we aren’t him. We know that to that degree we don’t yet deserve the lowest circle of hell.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Last Hundred Years, Jane Smiley, 2014
The speaker condemns a figure who rewrites history to suit his feelings, demanding accountability for past actions and genuine remorse.
In simple terms: A person who changes history to fit his mood must face his past and feel true regret.
Key Takeaway
Insist on accountability and authentic repentance.
Themes
accountability
history
remorse
power
identity
Mood
frustrated
determined
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
dramatic
When to use this quote
- family conflict
- legal testimony
- personal therapy
- public apology
- historical revisionism
Key Concepts
psychology
ethical responsibility
memory
narrative control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance forgiveness with the need for accountability?
- Can true remorse be forced?
A Different Perspective
The demand for personal humiliation may be unrealistic or ethically problematic.
