“What sucked was that her room was on the fourth floor of a four-story house because she hated walking past every other room on her way in and out. She was like a latter-day Rapunzel except her hair was only a few inches below her shoulders, slightly fried, not all that blond, and furthermore, who the hell was ever going to climb up to give her a hand? The guy in the wheelchair from school?What she — and Rapunzel, frankly — needed was a decent ladder.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote, the speaker expresses the frustration of the protagonist with her living situation and draws a comparison to the fairy tale character Rapunzel. The protagonist's room being on the fourth floor of a four-story house makes her feel isolated, akin to Rapunzel being locked away in a tower. The mention of her hair and the irony of the situation adds a touch of humor to the portrayal of her feelings of loneliness and longing for connection. The reference to needing a ladder highlights the desire for a way out or a means to bridge the gap between herself and the outside world. This quote captures the protagonist's sense of entrapment and the yearning for escape and companionship.
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Francine Pascal, the protagonist's struggle with accessibility in her living situation is highlighted. This concept resonates in today's society, where issues of accessibility and inclusivity continue to be important topics of discussion. The need for a "decent ladder" metaphorically represents the need for support and accommodations for individuals with disabilities or other challenges in navigating their environments.
Example of Usage
"What sucked was that her room was on the fourth floor of a four-story house because she hated walking past every other room on her way in and out. She was like a latter-day Rapunzel except her hair was only a few inches below her shoulders, slightly fried, not all that blond, and furthermore, who the hell was ever going to climb up to give her a hand? The guy in the wheelchair from school? What she — and Rapunzel, frankly — needed was a decent ladder.” - Francine Pascal".
Reflection Questions
As you reflect on this passage from Francine Pascal's work, consider the following questions:
- How does the comparison of the protagonist to Rapunzel add depth to her character and situation?
- In what ways does the physical layout of her room affect her feelings of isolation and independence?
- How does the mention of the guy in the wheelchair from school challenge societal expectations and assumptions about who can provide support and assistance?
- What do you think the metaphor of needing a ladder symbolizes in terms of the protagonist's desire for autonomy and connection with others?
Similar quotes
“Maybe the witch thought she was protecting Rapunzel, not punishing her. Maybe she thought that if Rapunzel was locked away, no one could ever hurt her. Maybe the witch kept Rapunzel because she loved her, because she was scared that if other people could get to Rapunzel, they would hurt her. And maybe Rapunzel didn't understand the witch; maybe she was angry at her - but maybe she loved her too.”
“No one is going to hear what she says whether she speaks or not. Simply she could close her eyes and never speak again. She could suck all of the air in this room-every dust mote, every atom-into her body and hide it inside her…”
“Her room felt wonderful to her, as usual. She looked around with satisfaction… She imagined to herself that she would always live this way, even after she had grown up and moved away from her family. She planned to have exactly the same room wherever she was, because this room was her. No matter what happened out there in the rest of the world, she felt totally comfortable once she got into this room and closed the door.”
“Eve was tall. Her face had cheekbones. Her shoulders slumped when she walked. The shelves in her living room were bent beneath the books. She worked for a publisher; oh, you’ve heard of him, she said.Her life was one in which everything was left undone—letters unanswered, bills on the floor, the butter sitting out all night. Perhaps that was why her husband had left her; he was even more hopeless than she. At least she was gay. She stepped from her littered doorway in pretty clothes, like a woman who lives in the barrio walking to a limousine, stray dogs and dirt on the way.”
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