Abandoned Quote by Maurice Sendak
“Then one day my sister abandoned me at the 1939 World's Fair, and that incident is the essence of In the Night Kitchen. I was standing there with hundreds of other people waving back at the little midgets dressed like bakers when I turned around and my sister was gone! The next thing I know I'm screaming and crying and policemen are taking me to a big place with tons of kids who had all been abandoned like me. At least I was old enough to give them a name and an address.”
About This Quote
Source Book: In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak, 1970
The narrator recalls a childhood trauma of being separated from his sister at a fair, symbolizing loss and the need to create identity for abandoned children.
In simple terms: A child feels lost and must name the unknown.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and give voice to forgotten experiences.
Themes
abandonment
identity
childhood
memory
creativity
Mood
sad
reflective
hopeful
Type
literary
emotional
reflective
When to use this quote
- family outings
- school counseling
- support groups
- creative writing
- therapy
Key Concepts
psychology
narrative
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we support children who feel abandoned?
- What role does naming play in healing?
A Different Perspective
The story may romanticize trauma, overlooking real safety concerns.
