Books Quote by Kate DiCamillo
““At the last moment, Antoinette came out of her faint and shouted one word to her child. That word, reader, was adieu... Adieu is the French word for farewell. “Farewell” is not the word you would like to hear from your mother as you are being led to the dungeon by two oversize mice in black hoods... “Farewell” is a word that, in any language, is full of sorrow. It is a word that promises absolutely nothing.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, 2003
A mother’s farewell in a dire moment carries deep sorrow and offers no comfort or promise of safety.
In simple terms: A goodbye in danger feels empty and sad.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that farewells can conceal danger.
Themes
sorrow
farewell
danger
Mood
fearful
somber
tense
Type
literary
emotional
cautionary
When to use this quote
- parental loss
- imprisonment
- dangerous encounters
- emotional trauma
Key Concepts
trust
vulnerability
hope
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a farewell mean when safety is at stake?
- How can you protect yourself when comfort feels empty?
A Different Perspective
The word may be a lie, masking true intentions.
![“[He] had the soul of a poet, and because of this, he liked very much to consider questions that had no answers.” quote by Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/972/kate-dicamillo-599_answers_he-had-the-soul-of-a-poet-and-because-of_48829.jpg)
