--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the light goes out completely…" description: "\"“When the light goes out completely, Buttercup’s temporarily distraught and confused, but he recovers and moves on to other things. (That’s what would ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/suzanne-collins-60_quote_when-the-light-goes-out-completely-butte_1591459.jpg" --- # When the light goes out completely, Buttercup’s… ![“When the light goes out completely, Buttercup’s temporarily distraught and confused, but he recovers and moves on to other things. (That’s what would happen if Peeta died.) But the one thing that sends Buttercup into a tailspin is when I leave the light on but put it hopelessly out of his reach…” quote by Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/suzanne-collins-60_quote_when-the-light-goes-out-completely-butte_1591459.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/suzanne-collins-60_quote_when-the-light-goes-out-completely-butte_1591459.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/suzanne-collins-60_quote_when-the-light-goes-out-completely-butte_1591459.jpg) > ““When the light goes out completely, Buttercup’s temporarily distraught and confused, but he recovers and moves on to other things. (That’s what would happen if Peeta died.) But the one thing that sends Buttercup into a tailspin is when I leave the light on but put it hopelessly out of his reach, high on the wall, beyond even his jumping skills. He paces below the wall, wails, and can’t be comforted or distracted. He’s useless until I shut the light off. (That’s what Snow is trying to do to me now, only I don’t know what form his game takes.)”” [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Buttercup’s distress illustrates how being denied a goal can cause frustration, while removing the goal can end the struggle, mirroring manipulative control tactics. **In simple terms:** Denial of a goal creates pain; removing it ends the pain. Key Takeaway Recognize when obstacles are used to control you. Themes control frustration hope resilience Mood anxious determined reflective Type narrative analytical When to use this quote - relationship conflict - personal growth - authoritarian pressure Key Concepts psychology power dynamics attachment theory Questions to Reflect On - What goals are being withheld from you? - How does removing a goal change your behavior? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buttercup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buttercup/) [Buttercup Tailspin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buttercup-tailspin-6033435/) [Buttercup Temporarily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buttercup-temporarily-6033436/) [Peeta Died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peeta-died-6033438/) [Sends Buttercup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sends-buttercup-6033437/) ## Related quotes > [Entrails. No hissing. This is the closest we will ever come to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/entrails-no-hissing-this-is-the-closest-we-will-ever-come-to-love-2/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I take a few breaths to calm myself, step back, and lift Buttercup by the scruff of the neck. 'I should have drowned you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-take-a-few-breaths-to-calm-myself-step-back-and-lift-buttercup-by-2/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I am Buttercup. Peeta, the thing I want so badly to secure, is the light. As long as Buttercup feels he has the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-am-buttercup-peeta-the-thing-i-want-so-badly-to-secure-is-the-light/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“This is the closest we will ever come to love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/this-is-the-closest-we-will-ever-come-to-love/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Buttercup, miserable even with Prim’s constant attention, huddles in the cube and exhales cat breath in my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/buttercup-miserable-even-with-prim-s-constant-attention-huddles-in/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“You know, you better put Buttercup on your list of demands, too. I don’t think the concept of useless pets is well known here.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-know-you-better-put-buttercup-on-your-list-of-demands-too-i-don-t/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Sometimes, when I clean a kill, I feed Buttercup the entrails. He has stopped hissing at me. Entrails. No hissing. This is the closest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/sometimes-when-i-clean-a-kill-i-feed-buttercup-the-entrails-he-has/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“As long as Buttercup feels he has the chance of catching the elusive light under his paws, he’s bristling with aggression. (That’s how I’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/as-long-as-buttercup-feels-he-has-the-chance-of-catching-the-elusive/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I can keep my pet — while those from 13 spell out what extreme difficulties this presents. Finally it’s worked out that we’ll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-can-keep-my-pet-while-those-from-13-spell-out-what-extreme/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“Buttercup gives a flick of his tail that I take as agreement.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/buttercup-gives-a-flick-of-his-tail-that-i-take-as-agreement/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I reach for Prim in the twilight, clamp my hand on her leg and pull myself over to her. Her voice remains steady as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-reach-for-prim-in-the-twilight-clamp-my-hand-on-her-leg-and-pull/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I take a few breaths to calm myself, step back, and lift Buttercup by the scruff of the neck. "I should've drowned you when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-take-a-few-breaths-to-calm-myself-step-back-and-lift-buttercup-by/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [She's not here," I tell him. Buttercup hisses again. "She's not here. You can hiss all you like. You won't find Prim." At her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/she-s-not-here-i-tell-him-buttercup-hisses-again-she-s-not-here-you/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Her heart was a secret garden and the walls were very high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/her-heart-was-a-secret-garden-and-the-walls-were-very-high/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Buttercups and daisies, Oh, the pretty flowers; Coming ere the spring time, To tell of sunny hours. When the trees are leafless; When the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-howitt/buttercups-and-daisies-oh-the-pretty-flowers-coming-ere-the-spring/) [Mary Howitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-howitt/) ## More by Suzanne Collins > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [KEEP CALM and HAVE A SUGAR CUBE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/keep-calm-and-have-a-sugar-cube/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [A furious Peeta hammers Haymitch with the atrocity he could become party to, but I can feel Haymitch watching me. This is the moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-furious-peeta-hammers-haymitch-with-the-atrocity-he-could-become/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“The same goes for the other captured tributes, Johanna and Enobaria.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/the-same-goes-for-the-other-captured-tributes-johanna-and-enobaria/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [He never lets go of Annie's hand. Not when they walk, not when they eat. I doubt he ever plans to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-never-lets-go-of-annie-s-hand-not-when-they-walk-not-when-they-eat/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I want to interrupt the taping and beg Finnick’s forgiveness for every false thought I’ve ever had about him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-want-to-interrupt-the-taping-and-beg-finnick-s-forgiveness-for/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I pound on the glass, screaming my head off. Everyone ignores me except for some Capitol attendant who appears behind me and offers me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-pound-on-the-glass-screaming-my-head-off-everyone-ignores-me-except/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Because it doesn't matter anymore, and because I'm so desperately lonely I can't stand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/because-it-doesn-t-matter-anymore-and-because-i-m-so-desperately/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Then I dive into my tent before I do something stupid like cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/then-i-dive-into-my-tent-before-i-do-something-stupid-like-cry/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“¡Es que no quiero que me conozcan! ¡Ya me están quitando el futuro! ¡No pueden llevarse también lo que me importaba en el pasado!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/es-que-no-quiero-que-me-conozcan-ya-me-est-n-quitando-el-futuro-no/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“I act delighted, but I have zero interest in these Capitol people. They are only distractions from the food.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-act-delighted-but-i-have-zero-interest-in-these-capitol-people-they/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/mostly-we-just-add-to-the-piles-of-rainbow-glass-that-s-been-blown/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [You're punishing him over and over for things that are out of his control. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't have a fully loaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-re-punishing-him-over-and-over-for-things-that-are-out-of-his/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But the significant difference between Thirteen and the Capitol are the expectations of the populace. Thirteen was used to hardship, wheras in the Capitol,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/but-the-significant-difference-between-thirteen-and-the-capitol-are/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) [Explore all 1,709 Suzanne Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## More Buttercup quotes > [Buttercups and daisies, Oh, the pretty flowers; Coming ere the spring time, To tell of sunny hours. When the trees are leafless; When the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-howitt/buttercups-and-daisies-oh-the-pretty-flowers-coming-ere-the-spring/) [Mary Howitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-howitt/) > [Her heart was a secret garden and the walls were very high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/her-heart-was-a-secret-garden-and-the-walls-were-very-high/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“And when she at last came out, her eyes were dry. Her parents stared up from their silent breakfast at her. They both started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/and-when-she-at-last-came-out-her-eyes-were-dry-her-parents-stared-up/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [“As you wish, Buttercup.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/as-you-wish-buttercup/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [“Buttercup could picture Westley rounding the final corner. There were four guards outside waiting. At ten seconds per guard, she began figuring, but then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/buttercup-could-picture-westley-rounding-the-final-corner-there-were/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [Fair is the kingcup that in meadow blows, Fair is the daisy that beside her grows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gay/fair-is-the-kingcup-that-in-meadow-blows-fair-is-the-daisy-that/) [John Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gay/) > [The Prince found Buttercup waiting unhappily outside his chamber doors. It's my letter,' she began. 'I cannot make it right.' Come in, come in,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/the-prince-found-buttercup-waiting-unhappily-outside-his-chamber/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [Westley: Hear this now: I will always come for you. Buttercup: But how can you be sure? Westley: This is true love-you think this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/westley-hear-this-now-i-will-always-come-for-you-buttercup-but-how/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [I suppose I was dying again, so I asked the Lord of Permanent Affection for the strength to live the day. Clearly, the answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/i-suppose-i-was-dying-again-so-i-asked-the-lord-of-permanent/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [I must be overtired', Buttercup managed. 'The excitement and all.' 'Rest then', her mother cautioned. 'Terrible things can happen when you're overtired. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/i-must-be-overtired-buttercup-managed-the-excitement-and-all-rest/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [“Wildflower: Don't let people walk all over you, Buttercup. It's your life. If you want something, you need to get out there and grab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/wildflower-don-t-let-people-walk-all-over-you-buttercup-it-s-your/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [Buttercups, bright eyed and bold, hold their chalices of gold to catch the sunshine and the dew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-caroline-dorr/buttercups-bright-eyed-and-bold-hold-their-chalices-of-gold-to-catch/) [Julia Caroline Dorr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-caroline-dorr/) > [“The sparkle and morning-freshness of the shop, and the butter-conjuring girl, formed a mind-picture which accompanied the whole of my youth.(about the Buttercup Dairy)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/the-sparkle-and-morning-freshness-of-the-shop-and-the-butter/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [Pucker up buttercup(;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki/pucker-up-buttercup/) [Nikki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki/) > [She's not here," I tell him. Buttercup hisses again. "She's not here. You can hiss all you like. You won't find Prim." At her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/she-s-not-here-i-tell-him-buttercup-hisses-again-she-s-not-here-you/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) [Browse all 79 Buttercup quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buttercup/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When the light goes out completely, Buttercup’s temporarily distraught and confused, but he recovers and moves on to other things. (That’s what would happen if Peeta died.) But the one thing that sends Buttercup into a tailspin is when I leave the light on but put it hopelessly out of his reach, high on the wall, beyond even his jumping skills. He paces below the wall, wails, and can’t be comforted or distracted. He’s useless until I shut the light off. 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