Body Quote by Jeroen Brouwers
“On who the flies landed without being chased away by that person, was on her way to death - this was one of the unmistakeable signs. From that time on, I think, dates my obsession with flies. In times of peace, when we all lied still, I made sure to sneak close up to my mother, watching very carefully that no fly would land on her, - I waved my hat over her body, flies don't like wind and movement...”
About This Quote
A mother’s vulnerability to flies becomes an obsession, symbolizing a deeper fear of loss and the need to protect loved ones.
In simple terms: Obsessive protection of mother reflects fear of loss.
Address underlying anxieties and practice healthy boundaries.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- caregiving
- grief counseling
- personal coping
- rituals
- daily life
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do you focus on protecting the mother?
- What does the fly represent for you?
May over‑interpret symbolic meaning.