Dreams Quote by Pat Barker
““Lying between the sheets, she felt different; her body had turned into bread dough, dough that's been kneaded and pounded till it's grey, lumpen, no yeast in it, no lightness, no prospect of rising. Her arms lay stiff by her sides. When, finally, she drifted off to sleep, she dreamt she was on her knees in a corner of the room, trying to vomit without attracting the attention of the person who was asleep on the bed. Her eyes wide open in the darkness, she tried to cast off the dream, but it stayed with her till morning.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Secret Garden (excerpt), 1999
The narrator feels trapped and lifeless, likening herself to over‑worked dough, unable to rise or find light.
In simple terms: She feels stuck and powerless.
Key Takeaway
Seek ways to regain agency.
Themes
despair
identity
mental health
Mood
somber
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy
- creative writing
- mental health support
Key Concepts
Existential dread
self‑perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one break free from feeling stagnant?
- What brings light to a dark mental state?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize suffering.
