Fear Quote by Margaret Atwood
““A great fear came over me, and my body went entirely cold, and I stood as if paralyzed with fear; for I knew that the horse was no earthly horse, but the pale horse that will be sent at the Day of Reckoning, and the rider of it is Death; and it was Death himself who stood behind me, with his arms wrapped around me as tight as iron bands, and his lipless mouth kissing my neck as if in love. But as well as the horror, I also felt a strange longing.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale, 1985
Encountering death evokes both terror and a strange, paradoxical longing, reflecting humanity’s complex relationship with mortality.
In simple terms: Death can inspire fear and unexpected yearning.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the paradox of fear and longing.
Themes
mortality
fear
longing
Mood
reflective
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- creative writing
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
existential paradox
psychology of death
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the longing signify for you?
- How can confronting death deepen life appreciation?
A Different Perspective
Focusing solely on fear may ignore the broader existential context.
