“Let it be sufficient to say that, on this night, he was still my lighthouse and albatross in equal measure. The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying; the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving. I didn’t want to destroy anything or anybody. I just wanted to slip quietly out the back door, without causing any fuss or consequences, and then not stop running until I reached Greenland.”
Explore This Quote Further
Example of Usage:
In this quote from Elizabeth Gilbert, the narrator expresses conflicting feelings towards their relationship, describing it as both a lighthouse and an albatross. The desire to leave without causing any harm or consequences is palpable in their words.
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Elizabeth Gilbert, the speaker expresses a sense of conflict and indecision. The use of the imagery of a lighthouse and albatross symbolize both guidance and burden in the speaker's life. The juxtaposition of wanting to leave and stay, and the desire to avoid causing harm while escaping, reveals a sense of internal turmoil and the complexity of the speaker's emotions. The mention of wanting to run until reaching Greenland highlights the drastic measures the speaker is willing to take in order to find peace and escape their current situation.
Exploring the Complexities of Relationships
In this quote by Elizabeth Gilbert, she beautifully captures the internal conflict that many people face in relationships. The juxtaposition of feeling both anchored and burdened by someone you love is a common theme. Gilbert's honest depiction of wanting to escape without causing harm reflects the modern struggle of balancing personal desires with the well-being of others.
Reflection Questions
This powerful quote from Elizabeth Gilbert invites us to reflect on the internal conflict that comes with leaving a situation or a person behind. Here are some questions to explore your own thoughts and feelings in response to this passage:
- Have you ever experienced a situation where leaving felt just as impossible as staying? How did you navigate that internal turmoil?
- What do you think the author means by describing the person as both a "lighthouse" and an "albatross"? How can someone simultaneously be a source of safety and guidance, as well as a burden or obstacle?
- In what ways do you relate to the desire to "slip quietly out the back door" without causing a fuss or facing consequences? How does this instinct play out in your own life?
- The imagery of running until reaching Greenland suggests a desire for escape and freedom. What do you think the author is trying to convey through this metaphor?
- How does this quote resonate with your own experiences of wanting to leave a situation or relationship behind? How do you navigate the conflicting emotions of longing for escape while also fearing the unknown?
Similar quotes
“I didn't want to destroy anything or anybody. I just wanted to slip quietly out the back door, without causing any fuss or consequences, and then not stop running until I reached Greenland.”
“The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying; the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving.”
“I still can’t say whether I ever want children….I can only say how I feel now--grateful to be on my own. I also know that I won’t go forth and have children just in case I might regret missing it later in life; I don’t think this is a strong enough motivation to bring more babies onto the earth.”
“I’m here. I love you. I don’t care if you need to stay up crying all night long, I will stay with you. If you need the medication again, go ahead and take it—I will love you through that, as well. If you don’t need the medication, I will love you, too. There’s nothing you can ever do to lose my love. I will protect you until you die, and after your death I will still protect you. I am stronger than Depression and I am braver than Loneliness and nothing will ever exhaust me.”
“To those I love:I'm here. I love you. I don't care if you need to stay up crying all night long, I will stay with you. There's nothing you can ever do to lose my love. I will protect you. I am stronger than Depression and I am braver than Loneliness and nothing will ever exhaust me.”
“I have a history of making decisions very quickly about men. I have always fallen in love fast and without measuring risks. I have a tendency not only to see the best in everyone, but to assume that everyone is emotionally capable of reaching his highest potential. I have fallen in love more times than I care to count with the highest potential of a man, rather than with the man himself, and I have hung on to the relationship for a long time (sometimes far too long) waiting for the man to ascend to his own greatness. Many times in romance I have been a victim of my own optimism.”