Hard candy Quote by Vladimir Nabokov
““During the two months of our stay at Biarritz, my passion for Colette all but surpassed my passion for Cleopatra. Since my parents were not keen to meet hers, I saw her only on the beach; but I thought of her constantly. If I noticed she had been crying, I felt a surge of helpless anguish that brought tears to my own eyes. I could not destroy the mosquitoes that had left their bites on her frail neck, but I could, and did, have a successful fistfight with a red-haired boy who had been rude to her. She used to give me warm handfuls of hard candy. One day, as we were bending together over a starfish, and Colette's ringlets were tickling my ear, she suddenly turned toward me and kissed me on the cheek. So great was my emotion that all I could think of saying was, 'You little monkey.””
About This Quote
A vivid, sensual recollection of youthful affection intertwines admiration, jealousy, and protective instinct toward a beloved girl.
In simple terms: Intense youthful love and protectiveness.
Key Takeaway
Passion blends admiration with jealousy.
Themes
youth
infatuation
protectiveness
sensory detail
Mood
nostalgic
passionate
Type
narrative vignette
personal reflection
When to use this quote
- first love
- adolescent friendships
- travel diaries
Key Concepts
emotional intensity
memory reconstruction
Practical Applications
- use sensory language to evoke emotion
- explore protective impulses in narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the narrator’s protectiveness reveal about his self‑image?
- How does sensory detail shape emotional memory?
A Different Perspective
Romanticizing jealousy may overlook its harmful aspects.
![“...under no circumstances would he [Humbert Humbert] have interfered with the innocence of a child, if there was the least risk of a row.” quote by Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0f0/vladimir-nabokov-198_children_under-no-circumstances-would-he-humbert_16228.jpg)
![“You can choose who you want to be the hero [in Hard Candy], but youll be second-guessing yourself -- theres just no right answer. Our society is obsessed with finding good and finding evil, but I think were all capable of anything.” quote by Ellen Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0da/ellen-page-2745_answers_you-can-choose-who-you-want-to-be-the-he_207118.jpg)
