“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.”
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.”
“It's okay if you want to go. Everyone wants you to stay. I want you to stay more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. But that's what I want and I could see why it might not be what you want. So I just wanted to tell you that I understand if you go. It's okay if you have to leave us. It's okay if you want to stop fighting.”
“I'm not frightened. I'm not frightened of anything. The more I suffer, the more I love. Danger will only increase my love. It will sharpen it, forgive its vice. I will be the only angel you need. You will leave life even more beautiful than you entered it. Heaven will take you back and look at you and say: Only one thing can make a soul complete and that thing is love.”
“It's okay,' he tells me. 'If you want to go. Everyone wants you to stay. I want you to stay more than I've ever wanted anything in my life.' His voice cracks with emotion. He stops, clears his throat, takes a breath, and continues. 'But that's what I want and I could see why it might not be what you want. So I just wanted to tell you that I understand if you go. It's okay if you have to leave us. It's okay if you want to stop fighting.'For the first time since I realized that Teddy was gone, too, I feel something unclench. I feel myself breathe. I know that Gramps can't be that late-inning pinch hitter I'd hoped for. He won't unplug my breathing tube or overdoes me with morphine or anything like that. But this is the first time today that anyone has acknowledged what I have lost. I know that the social worker warned Gran and Gramps not to upset me, but Gramps's recognition, and the permission he just offered me--it feels like a gift.Gramps doesn't leave me. He slumps back into the chair. It's quiet now. So quiet you can almost hear other people's dreams. So quiet that you can almost hear me tell Gramps, 'Thank you.”