Attractive Quote by Lorrie Moore
“She had, without realizing it at the time, learned to follow Nick's gaze, learned to learn his lust...his desires remained memorized within her. She looked at the attractive women he would look at...She had become him: she longed for these women. But she was also herself, and so she despised them. She lusted after them, but she also wanted to beat them up. A rapist. She had become a rapist, driving to work in a car.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Lost World” by Lorrie Moore, 1998
A woman unconsciously adopts a man's objectifying gaze, internalizing his desire while also feeling revulsion and aggression toward it.
In simple terms: She mirrors his desire and hatred.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question internalized misogyny.
Themes
identity
desire
violence
self‑conflict
Mood
conflicted
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
cautionary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace dynamics
- self‑reflection
- gender politics
Key Concepts
objectification
internal conflict
psychological mirroring
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you notice when you adopt another’s perspective without consent?
- What steps can you take to reclaim agency over your own desires?
A Different Perspective
She may resist the gaze but still act on it, showing how deep conditioning can be hard to break.
