Time to kill Quote by Sandra Newman
““He says nothing, vehemently. I falter away and we sit, mutually staring into the fouled water. ... With time to kill, I ponder dismally the possible derivation of the zombie myth from people like my boyfriend. I picture Ralph blackened, semi-fingered, with bright bone peeking through his flesh. The odd small worm clings, festively wiggling. In my image, Ralph's really upset about decaying, and I feel for him sorrowfully. I want to tell him I would still love him, if he were decomposed. Of course in practice there is no predicting what I'd feel, and besides which, it's a wild associative leap. I ponder dismally how I've alienated people, all my life, with my bizarre associative leaps. ””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, 1959
The narrator reflects on isolation, fear of decay, and longing for connection despite grotesque thoughts.
In simple terms: Feeling lonely and yearning for love despite disturbing fantasies.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfect feelings and seek honest connection.
Themes
loneliness
fear
desire for connection
mortality
imagery
Mood
melancholy
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
emotional
When to use this quote
- nighttime contemplation
- relationship anxiety
- creative writing
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
existential dread
human connection
body decay
psychological introspection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile unsettling thoughts with genuine affection?
- Can confronting mortality deepen empathy?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize unhealthy obsession with decay.
