Circles Quote by Jean Rhys
“I hadn't bargained for this. I didn't think it would be like this - shabby clothes, worn-out shoes, circles under your eyes, your hair getting straight and lanky, the way people look at you. ... I didn't think it would be like this”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys, 1966
The narrator describes unexpected hardship and physical decline, highlighting disappointment and loss of expectations.
In simple terms: Unexpected hardship and physical decline.
Key Takeaway
Adjust expectations and seek support in adversity.
Themes
disillusionment
poverty
appearance
social judgment
Mood
somber
empathetic
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- housing instability
- employment loss
- health decline
- social stigma
Key Concepts
socioeconomic hardship
identity
body image
Questions to Reflect On
- What expectations did you hold?
- How can you rebuild hope?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize suffering, ignoring agency.
![“Tell them you came, and saw, and looked into my eyes and saw the shadow of the guard receding. Thoughts in time and out of season, the hitchinker stood by the side of the road and levelled his thumb in the calm calculus of reason. [...] Why does my mind circle around you? Why do planets wonder…” quote by Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ae/jim-morrison-1692_bird_tell-them-you-came-and-saw-and-looked-in_18280.jpg)