--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There had been something about the island…" description: "\"“There had been something about the island that made the girls forget who they had been. All those rules and shalt nots. They were no longer waiting fo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/libba-bray-259_arbitrary_there-had-been-something-about-the-islan_1130977.png" --- # There had been something about the island that made the… ![“There had been something about the island that made the girls forget who they had been. All those rules and shalt nots. They were no longer waiting for some arbitrary grade. They were no longer performing. Waiting. Hoping. They were becoming. They were.” quote by Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/libba-bray-259_arbitrary_there-had-been-something-about-the-islan_1130977.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/libba-bray-259_arbitrary_there-had-been-something-about-the-islan_1130977.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acd/libba-bray-259_arbitrary_there-had-been-something-about-the-islan_1130977.png) > ““There had been something about the island that made the girls forget who they had been. All those rules and shalt nots. They were no longer waiting for some arbitrary grade. They were no longer performing. Waiting. Hoping. They were becoming. They were.”” [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The island frees the girls from societal constraints, allowing them to become true selves. **In simple terms:** Freedom from rules lets them evolve. Key Takeaway Embrace liberation to grow. Themes freedom identity transformation Mood empowering hopeful Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - travel - personal growth - creative projects Key Concepts feminism coming‑of‑age Questions to Reflect On - What rules limit your growth? - How do you navigate newfound freedom? A Different Perspective Freedom can be disorienting or risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Island](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/island/) [Islands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islands/) ## Related quotes > [“I’ve been thinking about that book about the boys who crash on an island,” Mary Lou said to Adina one afternoon as they rested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/i-ve-been-thinking-about-that-book-about-the-boys-who-crash-on-an/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [I'm jealous of the 'Love Island' girls. I wish I was that confident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-whitmore/i-m-jealous-of-the-love-island-girls-i-wish-i-was-that-confident/) [Laura Whitmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-whitmore/) > [There's nothing quite like flying on a private jet to a fabulous island with some of your girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorit-kemsley/there-s-nothing-quite-like-flying-on-a-private-jet-to-a-fabulous/) [Dorit Kemsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorit-kemsley/) > [One of many ways to be useful is to inspire people to forget some rules imposed by society. IMPORTANT rules are dictated by our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/one-of-many-ways-to-be-useful-is-to-inspire-people-to-forget-some/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Don't forget three rules ….](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/don-t-forget-three-rules/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Forget all the rules. Forget about being published. Write for yourself and celebrate writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forget-all-the-rules-forget-about-being-published-write-for-yourself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dont forget three rules for success : Never tell anyone everything you have, you know and you can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-forget-three-rules-for-success-never-tell-anyone-everything-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you go to a master to study and learn the techniques, you diligently follow all the instructions the master puts upon you. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/if-you-go-to-a-master-to-study-and-learn-the-techniques-you/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [If you love someone, tell them. Forget about the rules or the fear of looking ridiculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-love-someone-tell-them-forget-about-the-rules-or-the-fear-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To blossom forth, a work of art must ignore or rather forget all the rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/to-blossom-forth-a-work-of-art-must-ignore-or-rather-forget-all-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Forget all the rules you ever learned about graphic design.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-gill/forget-all-the-rules-you-ever-learned-about-graphic-design/) [Bob Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-gill/) > [“There are so many rules that come with being a girl that you forget sometimes that these rules are fictitious patriarchal bullshit. You’re so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/404-ink/there-are-so-many-rules-that-come-with-being-a-girl-that-you-forget/) 404 Ink > [J.T Woodland, known as “the cute one” in The Corporation’s seventh-grade boy band, Boyz Will B Boyz. Due to the success of their triple-platinum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/j-t-woodland-known-as-the-cute-one-in-the-corporation-s-seventh-grade/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [I do think that theater is a great venue for science fiction, and not just adaptations but also original work. I also think some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-einhorn/i-do-think-that-theater-is-a-great-venue-for-science-fiction-and-not/) Edward Einhorn > [It is irresponsible to set an arbitrary cap on how much therapy a Medicare beneficiary can receive. It ignores the health needs of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ensign/it-is-irresponsible-to-set-an-arbitrary-cap-on-how-much-therapy-a/) [John Ensign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ensign/) ## More by Libba Bray > [“I have never felt more ridiculous. If this is what it means to be a woman I am not the slightest bit interested.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/i-have-never-felt-more-ridiculous-if-this-is-what-it-means-to-be-a/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [There are no safe choices. Only other choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-are-no-safe-choices-only-other-choices/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“The King of Crows raked his fingers across the dark until it bled. He licked the blood from his fingers with a forked tongue.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-king-of-crows-raked-his-fingers-across-the-dark-until-it-bled-he/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [It is how it has always been. We will accept the legacy of our ancestors,' Asha says, smiling, and in her smile I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/it-is-how-it-has-always-been-we-will-accept-the-legacy-of-our/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [The trouble with morning is that it comes well before noon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-trouble-with-morning-is-that-it-comes-well-before-noon/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Spare a copper for our cause?" the girl with the coin cup asks, her voice weary. "I can spare more than that," I say.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/spare-a-copper-for-our-cause-the-girl-with-the-coin-cup-asks-her/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [As one, they leap, laughing, and that is where we leave them - mouths open, arms spread wide, fingers splayed to take in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/as-one-they-leap-laughing-and-that-is-where-we-leave-them-mouths-open/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [I am for hockey. I find I should like to hit something with a stick. -Gemma Doyle Trilogy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/i-am-for-hockey-i-find-i-should-like-to-hit-something-with-a-stick/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [There are times when I wish I could go back and change the course of my life. Make different choices...But the past cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-are-times-when-i-wish-i-could-go-back-and-change-the-course-of/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Sexuality is not meant to be this way - an honest, consensual expression in which a girl might take an active role when she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/sexuality-is-not-meant-to-be-this-way-an-honest-consensual-expression/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [There is no greater power on this earth than story.” Will paced the length of the room. “People think boundaries and borders build nations.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-is-no-greater-power-on-this-earth-than-story-will-paced-the/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [Heaven's brightest and best-loved angel, who was cast out for inspiring a rebellion against God. Having lost Heaven, Lucifer and his rebel angels vowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/heaven-s-brightest-and-best-loved-angel-who-was-cast-out-for/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“The light is so bright it hurts my eyes. But I don't dare close them. I won't. Instead, I try to adjust to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-light-is-so-bright-it-hurts-my-eyes-but-i-don-t-dare-close-them-i/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Miss Moore speaks slowly, deliberately. "I know because I read." She pulls back and stands, hands on hips, offering us a challenge. "May I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/miss-moore-speaks-slowly-deliberately-i-know-because-i-read-she-pulls/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Duff's little moans traveled up her spine, made her head buzz. And another thought grabbed hold: She was doing this. She had the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/duff-s-little-moans-traveled-up-her-spine-made-her-head-buzz-and/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) [Explore all 774 Libba Bray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) ## More Arbitrary quotes > [It is irresponsible to set an arbitrary cap on how much therapy a Medicare beneficiary can receive. It ignores the health needs of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ensign/it-is-irresponsible-to-set-an-arbitrary-cap-on-how-much-therapy-a/) [John Ensign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ensign/) > [I do think that theater is a great venue for science fiction, and not just adaptations but also original work. I also think some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-einhorn/i-do-think-that-theater-is-a-great-venue-for-science-fiction-and-not/) Edward Einhorn > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [Not to be offensive, not to be capricious, not to be arbitrary, not to be neurotic, not to be an actor outer, you're just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hurt/not-to-be-offensive-not-to-be-capricious-not-to-be-arbitrary-not-to/) [William Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hurt/) > [I don't concern myself with thinking ahead to the finished product. I focus more specifically on what the character is experiencing. Once you relieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-eisenberg/i-don-t-concern-myself-with-thinking-ahead-to-the-finished-product-i/) [Jesse Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-eisenberg/) > [Habit is altogether too arbitrary a master for me to submit to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/habit-is-altogether-too-arbitrary-a-master-for-me-to-submit-to/) [Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/) > [I look back, now, and I know that the naming moment, which seemed so insignificant then, which seemed to demand no more than an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-david-roberts/i-look-back-now-and-i-know-that-the-naming-moment-which-seemed-so/) [Gregory David Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-david-roberts/) > [Police in China can do whatever they want; after 81 days in arbitrary detention you clearly realise that they don't have to obey their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/police-in-china-can-do-whatever-they-want-after-81-days-in-arbitrary/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) > [Contrary to what certain governments say, human rights are universal. Arbitrary detention, torture and discrimination hurt the human dignity of anybody, whatever his or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/contrary-to-what-certain-governments-say-human-rights-are-universal/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [What causes adolescents to rebel is not the assertion of authority but the arbitrary use of power, with little explanation of the rules and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-steinberg/what-causes-adolescents-to-rebel-is-not-the-assertion-of-authority/) [Laurence Steinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-steinberg/) > [There is something on earth greater than arbitrary or despotic power. The lightning has its power, and the whirlwind has its power, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-webster/there-is-something-on-earth-greater-than-arbitrary-or-despotic-power/) [Daniel Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-webster/) > [“nothing is arbitrary in this whole world, there is a good reason behind each and everything…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-kumar/nothing-is-arbitrary-in-this-whole-world-there-is-a-good-reason/) Nikhil Kumar > [Fundamentally, adopting rules without any estimate of the impact is the height of arbitrary decision-making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-rielly/fundamentally-adopting-rules-without-any-estimate-of-the-impact-is/) [Michael O'Rielly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-rielly/) > [No arbitrary regulation, no act of the legislature, can add anything to the capital of the country; it can only force it into artificial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ramsay-mcculloch/no-arbitrary-regulation-no-act-of-the-legislature-can-add-anything-to/) John Ramsay McCulloch > [But the desire of obtaining the advantages, and of escaping the burthens, of political society, is a perpetual and inexhaustible source of discord; nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/but-the-desire-of-obtaining-the-advantages-and-of-escaping-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) Browse all 529 Arbitrary quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“There had been something about the island that made the girls forget who they had been. 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