--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Three months after Rachel was born, Lou…" description: "\"“Three months after Rachel was born, Lou admitted smuggling her into church. “It wasn’t my fault,” she said, after she’d confessed. “I was compelled.” ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/lauren-grodstein-33654_compelled_three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-a_2505417.jpg" --- # Three months after Rachel was born, Lou admitted smuggling… ![“Three months after Rachel was born, Lou admitted smuggling her into church. “It wasn’t my fault,” she said, after she’d confessed. “I was compelled.” “What do you mean, compelled?” Andy had asked, annoyed, betrayed, but also consumed by tenderness the way he always was when he watched Louisa…” quote by Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/lauren-grodstein-33654_compelled_three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-a_2505417.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/lauren-grodstein-33654_compelled_three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-a_2505417.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/lauren-grodstein-33654_compelled_three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-a_2505417.jpg) > ““Three months after Rachel was born, Lou admitted smuggling her into church. “It wasn’t my fault,” she said, after she’d confessed. “I was compelled.” “What do you mean, compelled?” Andy had asked, annoyed, betrayed, but also consumed by tenderness the way he always was when he watched Louisa breast-feed.”” [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A mother hides a secret about her child's birth, feeling forced by circumstances, while the father reacts with mixed emotions of annoyance and tenderness. **In simple terms:** A mother hides a birth secret; father feels conflicted. Key Takeaway A hidden truth can strain relationships. Themes family secrecy parenthood trust conflict Mood conflicted tender tense Type narrative emotional psychological When to use this quote - parent‑child bonding - marital counseling - confession - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts guilt compulsion emotional complexity Questions to Reflect On - What drives a parent to hide a child’s birth? - How does secrecy affect familial trust? A Different Perspective The mother’s claim of compulsion may overlook personal responsibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compelled/) [Compelled Andy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compelled-andy-1102043/) [Confessed Compelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confessed-compelled-1102042/) [Lou Admitted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lou-admitted-1102044/) [Mean Compelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean-compelled-1102045/) [Three months](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-months/) ## Related quotes > [We explore our environment, more than we are compelled to utter poetry, when we're toddlers. We start doing that later. Before that happens, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/we-explore-our-environment-more-than-we-are-compelled-to-utter-poetry/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelled by the story and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/the-first-thing-when-i-read-the-script-is-that-i-need-to-care-about/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [Operas elucidate, in a way sometimes absent in other theatrical productions, the very human fact that in every hero, there is a thread of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-decrow/operas-elucidate-in-a-way-sometimes-absent-in-other-theatrical/) [Karen DeCrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-decrow/) > [It's a mission for me to make sure that philanthropy doesn't feel like a vintage hand-me-down from mom or dad. I want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/it-s-a-mission-for-me-to-make-sure-that-philanthropy-doesn-t-feel/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [The most deeply compelled action is also the freest action. By that I mean, no part of you is outside the action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-most-deeply-compelled-action-is-also-the-freest-action-by-that-i/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I love different sorts of people, their stories, all the different facets, that make them, them. 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It can also enslave us - we feel compelled to use it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-stone/untethered-technology-gives-us-the-freedom-to-do-nearly-anything/) [Linda Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-stone/) > [Ordinary citizens are obliged and, if need be, compelled by force to meet their commitments. But let higher obligations of an international order be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-albert-gobat/ordinary-citizens-are-obliged-and-if-need-be-compelled-by-force-to/) [Charles Albert Gobat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-albert-gobat/) > [When I think of God's Kingdom, I am compelled to be silent because of its immensity, because God's Kingdom is none other than God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meister-eckhart/when-i-think-of-god-s-kingdom-i-am-compelled-to-be-silent-because-of/) [Meister Eckhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meister-eckhart/) > [God has not made this world to be a nest for us, and if we try to make it such for ourselves, he plants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/god-has-not-made-this-world-to-be-a-nest-for-us-and-if-we-try-to-make/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) ## More by Lauren Grodstein > [I wish I were better at straightforward description. I feel like I'm usually overdoing it or underdoing it, and it takes a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/i-wish-i-were-better-at-straightforward-description-i-feel-like-i-m/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [“Your world is the world of coincidence, of meaninglessness. You choose the world that would have us as specks of dust, as mice in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/your-world-is-the-world-of-coincidence-of-meaninglessness-you-choose/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [“But who says you get to be ready? Who says you get to take someone's heart and eat it and then decide you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/but-who-says-you-get-to-be-ready-who-says-you-get-to-take-someone-s/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [I'm inspired by people who are really deliberate and careful with their lives, and people who are kind. 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He reached in and scratched one on the nose; like a bum, or one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/returned-to-his-drunken-mice-dreaming-their-placid-inebriated-dreams/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [I like writing dialogue - I can hear my characters so clearly that writing dialogue often feels as much like transcribing something as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/i-like-writing-dialogue-i-can-hear-my-characters-so-clearly-that/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [A beloved student of mine told me she believed the earth was approximately 6,000 years old. She was smart, she was thoughtful, and she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/a-beloved-student-of-mine-told-me-she-believed-the-earth-was/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [“Life really does go on. That's what I've learned. It goes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/life-really-does-go-on-that-s-what-i-ve-learned-it-goes/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [Some people need God and some people need science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/some-people-need-god-and-some-people-need-science/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [I hate the word juicy in describing anything: lips, plots, oranges. But especially novels. It feels - icky. Reminds me of saliva.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/i-hate-the-word-juicy-in-describing-anything-lips-plots-oranges-but/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) > [The worst thing that's ever happened to you is not the worst thing that's ever happened to anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/the-worst-thing-that-s-ever-happened-to-you-is-not-the-worst-thing/) [Lauren Grodstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) [Explore all 14 Lauren Grodstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/) ## More Compelled quotes > [We explore our environment, more than we are compelled to utter poetry, when we're toddlers. We start doing that later. Before that happens, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/we-explore-our-environment-more-than-we-are-compelled-to-utter-poetry/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [When I think of God's Kingdom, I am compelled to be silent because of its immensity, because God's Kingdom is none other than God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meister-eckhart/when-i-think-of-god-s-kingdom-i-am-compelled-to-be-silent-because-of/) [Meister Eckhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meister-eckhart/) > [Ordinary citizens are obliged and, if need be, compelled by force to meet their commitments. But let higher obligations of an international order be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-albert-gobat/ordinary-citizens-are-obliged-and-if-need-be-compelled-by-force-to/) [Charles Albert Gobat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-albert-gobat/) > [Untethered technology gives us the freedom to do nearly anything, anytime, anywhere. It can also enslave us - we feel compelled to use it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-stone/untethered-technology-gives-us-the-freedom-to-do-nearly-anything/) [Linda Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-stone/) > [He who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exemplify the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-gregory-i/he-who-is-required-by-the-necessity-of-his-position-to-speak-the/) [Pope Gregory I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-gregory-i/) > [I found myself compelled - like this weird, shameful compulsion - to draw cute animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/i-found-myself-compelled-like-this-weird-shameful-compulsion-to-draw/) [Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/) > [ I've written a lot of other books and this book \[Tears we cannot stop\] was different. I couldn't just say what I wanted to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/i-ve-written-a-lot-of-other-books-and-this-book-tears-we-cannot-stop/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [See with what force yon river's crystal stream Resists the weight of many a massy beam. To sink the wood the more we vainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/see-with-what-force-yon-river-s-crystal-stream-resists-the-weight-of/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [“The more helpless she was, the more he would feel compelled to protect her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-more-helpless-she-was-the-more-he-would-feel-compelled-to-protect/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love different sorts of people, their stories, all the different facets, that make them, them. This is entwined with how I am compelled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gemma-cairney/i-love-different-sorts-of-people-their-stories-all-the-different/) [Gemma Cairney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gemma-cairney/) > [The most deeply compelled action is also the freest action. By that I mean, no part of you is outside the action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-most-deeply-compelled-action-is-also-the-freest-action-by-that-i/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [It's a mission for me to make sure that philanthropy doesn't feel like a vintage hand-me-down from mom or dad. I want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/it-s-a-mission-for-me-to-make-sure-that-philanthropy-doesn-t-feel/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [Operas elucidate, in a way sometimes absent in other theatrical productions, the very human fact that in every hero, there is a thread of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-decrow/operas-elucidate-in-a-way-sometimes-absent-in-other-theatrical/) [Karen DeCrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-decrow/) > [The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelled by the story and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/the-first-thing-when-i-read-the-script-is-that-i-need-to-care-about/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [God has not made this world to be a nest for us, and if we try to make it such for ourselves, he plants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/god-has-not-made-this-world-to-be-a-nest-for-us-and-if-we-try-to-make/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) [Browse all 515 Compelled quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compelled/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Three months after Rachel was born, Lou admitted smuggling her into church. “It wasn’t my fault,” she said, after she’d confessed. “I was compelled.” “What do you mean, compelled?” Andy had asked, annoyed, betrayed, but also consumed by tenderness the way he always was when he watched Louisa breast-feed.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lauren Grodstein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-admitted-smuggling-her-into/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compelled" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-admitted-smuggling-her-into/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/lauren-grodstein-33654_compelled_three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-a_2505417.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/lauren-grodstein-33654_compelled_three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-a_2505417.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c27/lauren-grodstein-33654_compelled_three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-a_2505417.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Three months after Rachel was born, Lou admitted smuggling her into church. “It wasn’t my fault,” she said…” — Lauren Grodstein", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lauren Grodstein", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-grodstein/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Three months after Rachel was born,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-admitted-smuggling-her-into/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-grodstein/three-months-after-rachel-was-born-lou-admitted-smuggling-her-into/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```