Flower Quote by Virginia Woolf
““and yet nobody of course was more dependent upon others (he buttoned his waistcoat); it had been his undoing. He could not keep out of smoking-rooms, liked colonels, liked golf, liked bridge, and above all women’s society, and the fineness of their companionship, and their faithfulness and audacity and greatness in loving which though it had its drawbacks seemed to him (and the dark, adorably pretty face was on top of the envelopes) so wholly admirable, so splendid a flower to grow on the crest of human life, and yet he could not come up to the scratch, being always apt to see round things (Clarissa had sapped something in him permanently), and to tire very easily of mute devotion and to want variety in love, though it would make him furious if Daisy loved anybody else, furious! for he was jealous, uncontrollably jealous by temperament. He suffered tortures!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, 1925
The passage portrays a character whose dependence on social circles and romantic entanglements leads to inner conflict and jealousy, highlighting the tension between desire for variety and fear of loss.
In simple terms: A man is torn between his need for social companionship and his jealousy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance personal needs with healthy relationships.
Themes
dependency
jealousy
social expectations
inner conflict
desire for variety
Mood
conflicted
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
psychological
character study
When to use this quote
- high society gatherings
- romantic relationships
- personal introspection
- friendship circles
- professional networking
Key Concepts
psychology
human relationships
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dependence shape personal identity?
- What can temper unchecked jealousy?
A Different Perspective
His jealousy may be rooted in deeper insecurity, not just external circumstances.
