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Control Quote by Stephen King

“Before marrying Vic, she had been a librarian in the Westchester school system, and her own private nightmare had always been telling the kids for the third time—in her loudest speaking voice—to quiet down at once, please. When she did that, they always had—enough for her to get through the…” quote by Stephen King
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““Before marrying Vic, she had been a librarian in the Westchester school system, and her own private nightmare had always been telling the kids for the third time—in her loudest speaking voice—to quiet down at once, please. When she did that, they always had—enough for her to get through the period, at least—but what if they wouldn't? That was her nightmare. What if they absolutely wouldn't? What did that leave?””

Stephen King

About This Quote

Source novel: The Shining, 1977

The librarian fears being unable to quiet children, fearing their refusal.

In simple terms: Fear of failing to control noisy children.

Key Takeaway

Prepare for worst‑case scenarios.

Themes

fear authority control

Mood

anxious reflective

Type

advice observational

When to use this quote

  • teaching
  • childcare
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

classroom management parenting anxiety

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you handle uncontrollable situations?
  • What strategies calm noisy environments?
A Different Perspective

Fear may be disproportionate.

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