--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Poor Dr. Montague, Eleanor thought…" description: "\"“Poor Dr. Montague, Eleanor thought, standing aside to let the doctor take his wife into the dining room; he is so uncomfortable; I wonder how long she..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c4/shirley-jackson-1526_dining-room_poor-dr-montague-eleanor-thought-standin_2684344.jpg" --- # Poor Dr. Montague, Eleanor thought, standing aside to let… ![“Poor Dr. Montague, Eleanor thought, standing aside to let the doctor take his wife into the dining room; he is so uncomfortable; I wonder how long she is going to stay. “I wonder how long she is going to stay?” Theodora whispered in her ear. “Maybe her suitcase is filled with ectoplasm,” Eleanor…” quote by Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c4/shirley-jackson-1526_dining-room_poor-dr-montague-eleanor-thought-standin_2684344.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c4/shirley-jackson-1526_dining-room_poor-dr-montague-eleanor-thought-standin_2684344.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c4/shirley-jackson-1526_dining-room_poor-dr-montague-eleanor-thought-standin_2684344.jpg) > ““Poor Dr. Montague, Eleanor thought, standing aside to let the doctor take his wife into the dining room; he is so uncomfortable; I wonder how long she is going to stay. “I wonder how long she is going to stay?” Theodora whispered in her ear. “Maybe her suitcase is filled with ectoplasm,” Eleanor said hopefully. “And how long will you be able to stay?” Dr. Montague asked, sitting”” [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. Characters use humor and supernatural speculation to mask anxiety about social interaction and mortality. **In simple terms:** Humor hides deeper fears. Key Takeaway Acknowledge underlying anxieties. Themes anxiety humor social mortality communication Mood reflective thoughtful Type narrative psychological When to use this quote - family dinner - social gatherings - therapy sessions Key Concepts Literature psychology family dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What fears are being deflected through jokes? - How does this affect relationships? A Different Perspective Humor may obscure genuine emotional needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Don't do it, Eleanor told the little girl; insist on your cup of stars; once they have trapped you into being like everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/don-t-do-it-eleanor-told-the-little-girl-insist-on-your-cup-of-stars/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“I am learning the pathways of the heart, Eleanor thought quite seriously, and then wondered what she could have meant by thinking any such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/i-am-learning-the-pathways-of-the-heart-eleanor-thought-quite/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“Well, Eleanor thought, staring after the taxi, there’s one person, anyway, who will be praying for me. 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I asked, sitting beside him and fumbling through the mishmash in my lap. "How about this?" I examined a container…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cayla-kluver/what-do-you-need-i-asked-sitting-beside-him-and-fumbling-through-the/) [Cayla Kluver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cayla-kluver/) > [“Eleanor had never thought about killing herself – ever – but she thought a lot about stopping.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/eleanor-had-never-thought-about-killing-herself-ever-but-she-thought/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) > [“Oh, fine, Eleanor thought. The children of hell shan’t go hungry on my watch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/oh-fine-eleanor-thought-the-children-of-hell-shan-t-go-hungry-on-my/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) ## More by Shirley Jackson > [I can't help it when people are frightened," says Merricat. 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