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First time Quote by Malcolm Lowry

“—And yet, he was thinking all over again, and all over again as for the first time, how he had suffered, suffered, suffered without her; indeed such desolation, such a desperate sense of abandonment bereavement, as during this last year without Yvonne, he had never known in his life, unless it was…” quote by Malcolm Lowry
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““—And yet, he was thinking all over again, and all over again as for the first time, how he had suffered, suffered, suffered without her; indeed such desolation, such a desperate sense of abandonment bereavement, as during this last year without Yvonne, he had never known in his life, unless it was when his mother died. But this present emotion he had never experienced with his mother: this urgent desire to hurt, to provoke, at a time when forgiveness alone could save the day, this, rather, had commenced with his stepmother, so that she would have to cry:—“I can’t eat, Geoffrey, the food sticks in my throat!” It was hard to forgive, hard, hard to forgive. Harder still, not to say how hard it was, I hate you. Even now, of all times. Even though here was God’s moment, the chance to agree, to produce the card, to change everything; or there was but a moment left … Too late. The Consul had controlled his tongue. But he felt his mind divide and rise, like the two halves of a counterpoised drawbridge, ticking, to permit””

Malcolm Lowry

About This Quote

Source Novel: Under the Volcano, 1947

A man wrestles with deep grief and anger, feeling abandoned and unable to forgive, especially toward his stepmother, while confronting a pivotal moment of potential redemption.

In simple terms: He feels intense loss, anger, and difficulty forgiving, even when forgiveness could save him.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and process grief before it fuels destructive actions.

Themes

grief anger forgiveness family redemption

Mood

painful conflicted reflective

Type

literary emotional

When to use this quote

  • family loss
  • relationship crisis
  • personal redemption
  • self‑reflection

Key Concepts

psychology emotional conflict betrayal

Questions to Reflect On

  • What emotions are you avoiding?
  • How does unresolved grief affect your actions?
A Different Perspective

Forgiveness may be impossible when pain is overwhelming and unresolved.

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