Children Quote by John Gardner
““He could never forgive her for "cheating" on his father. His words, not hers. A child's word. "Selfish bitch," he'd called her once, he who knew nothing of selfishness or bitchery, no more than he knew of selflessness or whatever the opposite of bitchery was (sophrosyne?), knew only his own colossal ego, too self-centered even to understand why he couldn't simply dismiss her as evil and forget it. Sweet Christ how she hated him! But no. No more than she hated his father. It was past that. Caught in impossibilities, but knowing, at least, why she hated the part of herself she hated and why she could not escape, ever, for all the grinning cow-catchers and whistling boats and twinkling propellers in Christendom. Ah, Christendom! she thought.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Grendel, 1971
A character wrestles with deep self‑conflict, projecting his own ego and moral failures onto another, illustrating how personal insecurities distort judgment.
In simple terms: He blames others due to his own ego and self‑hatred.
Key Takeaway
Examine how personal ego skews perception of others.
Themes
identity
ego
betrayal
self‑reflection
Mood
introspective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- therapy sessions
- relationship counseling
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
psychology
existentialism
moral ambiguity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does his ego reveal about his self‑image?
- How does projecting blame affect relationships?
A Different Perspective
The dense, archaic style may obscure the core emotional conflict for some readers.
