--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Eleanor found herself unexpectedly…" description: "\"“Eleanor found herself unexpectedly admiring her own feet. Theodora dreamed over the fire beyond the tips of her toes, and Eleanor thought with deep sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/shirley-jackson-1526_classic-novels_eleanor-found-herself-unexpectedly-admir_1184222.jpg" --- # Eleanor found herself unexpectedly admiring her own feet… ![“Eleanor found herself unexpectedly admiring her own feet. Theodora dreamed over the fire beyond the tips of her toes, and Eleanor thought with deep satisfaction that her feet were handsome in their red sandals; what a complete and separate thing I am, she thought, going from my red toes to the top…” quote by Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/shirley-jackson-1526_classic-novels_eleanor-found-herself-unexpectedly-admir_1184222.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/shirley-jackson-1526_classic-novels_eleanor-found-herself-unexpectedly-admir_1184222.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b1/shirley-jackson-1526_classic-novels_eleanor-found-herself-unexpectedly-admir_1184222.jpg) > ““Eleanor found herself unexpectedly admiring her own feet. Theodora dreamed over the fire beyond the tips of her toes, and Eleanor thought with deep satisfaction that her feet were handsome in their red sandals; what a complete and separate thing I am, she thought, going from my red toes to the top of my head, individually an I, possessed of attributes belonging only to me. I have red shoes, she thought-that goes with being Eleanor; I dislike lobster and sleep on my left side and crack my knuckles when I am nervous and save buttons. I am holding a brandy glass which is mine because I am here and I am using it and I have a place in this room. I have red shoes and tomorrow I will wake up and I will still be here. 'I have red shoes,' she said very softly, and Theodora turned and smiled up at her.”” [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage celebrates self‑recognition of individuality through sensory details and personal quirks. **In simple terms:** It highlights personal identity through small details. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and cherish your unique traits. Themes identity self‑acceptance individuality Mood introspective affirming Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - writing therapy - mindfulness practice - personal branding - self‑esteem building Key Concepts self‑reflection personal narrative sensory awareness Questions to Reflect On - What details define you? - How do you integrate individuality with community? A Different Perspective Focusing on minutiae may overlook broader connections. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eleanor Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eleanor-thought-1394214/) [Eleanor Unexpectedly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eleanor-unexpectedly-3486201/) [Feet Theodora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feet-theodora-3486200/) [Red shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red-shoes/) [Selflove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selflove/) [Shirley-jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shirley-jackson-169351/) [The-haunting-of-hill-house](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-haunting-of-hill-house-186929/) [Theodora Dreamed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theodora-dreamed-3486198/) [Toes Eleanor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toes-eleanor-3486199/) ## Related quotes > [“Eleanor felt the room rock madly, and time as she had always known time, stop.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/eleanor-felt-the-room-rock-madly-and-time-as-she-had-always-known/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“She wants her cup of stars.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/she-wants-her-cup-of-stars/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“Hill House, not sane, stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/hill-house-not-sane-stood-so-for-eighty-years-and-might-stand-for/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“We started out making men in about the state of mind which I suppose created them in the first place -- we had run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/we-started-out-making-men-in-about-the-state-of-mind-which-i-suppose/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“»Ich werde so lange im Haus herumlaufen, bis ich in zehn von neun Fällen den Ort finde, wo es was zu essen gibt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/ich-werde-so-lange-im-haus-herumlaufen-bis-ich-in-zehn-von-neun-f/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) ## More by Shirley Jackson > [I can't help it when people are frightened," says Merricat. 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I mean, what are the things people always want to find out about other people?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/why-do-people-want-to-talk-to-each-other-i-mean-what-are-the-things/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/within-walls-continued-upright-bricks-met-neatly-floors-were-firm-and/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“It was as though the people needed the ugliness of the village, and fed on it. The houses and the stores seemed to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/it-was-as-though-the-people-needed-the-ugliness-of-the-village-and/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“Eleanor—“I plan to stay up and read for a while.” “Are you still reading Pamela?” Eleanor asked the doctor. “Volume two. I have three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/eleanor-i-plan-to-stay-up-and-read-for-a-while-are-you-still-reading/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“Is everyone really crazy but me?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/is-everyone-really-crazy-but-me/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/february-when-the-days-of-winter-seem-endless-and-no-amount-of/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“it’s quite a hazard, quite a hazard indeed, people knocking you down. 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