“He wondered how it could have taken him so long to realize he cared for her, and he told her so, and she called him an idiot, and he declared that it was the finest thing that ever a man had been called.”
Example of Usage
"He wondered how it could have taken him so long to realize he cared for her, and he told her so, and she called him an idiot, and he declared that it was the finest thing that ever a man had been called.” - Neil Gaiman"
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Neil Gaiman, the protagonist reflects on his feelings for a woman and expresses his realization that he cares for her deeply. The playful banter between the two characters highlights the warmth and intimacy of their relationship. This quote captures the beauty in expressing vulnerable emotions and receiving genuine affection in return.
Finding love in unexpected ways
In this quote by Neil Gaiman, the theme of realization and appreciation of love is portrayed in a humorous light. The modern relevance of this quote lies in how love often sneaks up on us when we least expect it, and how expressing our feelings openly can lead to moments of joy and connection. It serves as a reminder to not take love for granted and to embrace the vulnerability that comes with expressing our feelings to those we care about.
Reflection Questions
When reading this quote by Neil Gaiman, it's easy to get caught up in the humor and charm of the characters. But underneath the banter lies a deeper reflection on self-awareness and the realization of one's feelings. Consider the following questions as you think about this quote:
Have you ever had a moment where you suddenly realized your true feelings for someone? How did that realization affect your interactions with that person?
In this quote, the man is called an "idiot" for taking so long to realize his feelings. Do you think this kind of self-realization is common among people when it comes to matters of the heart?
The man in the quote seems to find humor in being called an "idiot" for not realizing his feelings sooner. How might humor help us navigate moments of emotional vulnerability and honesty with ourselves and others?
How do you think the woman's reaction to the man's confession ("He wondered...the finest thing that ever a man had been called") adds depth to their relationship dynamic?
Similar quotes
“It was as if she saw him in a whole new way, as if he had magically been transformed into a new person. Perhaps what she could really see, or wanted so very much to see, was how much he cared for her. Not that he wanted something from her, but that he wanted to see to it that she was happy, that she was taken care of, that that was what he truly wanted. And in that instant, it made her love him.”
“On Chesil Beach he could have called out to Florence, he could have gone after her. He did not know, or would not have cared to know, that as she ran away from him, certain in her distress that she was about to lose him, she had never loved him more, or more hopelessly, and that the sound of his voice, would have been a deliverance, and she would have turned back.”
“She wondered how a man could look into a woman’s eyes and lie so completely, so convincingly. She wondered how he could have looked and not seen the love that had glowed there, the blind faith, the unconditional devotion. She wondered how he would sleep at night, knowing he had betrayed her so effortlessly.”
“He had been alone in the world and empty for so long. But she filled him full, and so he believed everything that had been taken out of him might have been for a purpose. To clear space for something better.”
“She had not known how to tell him that his loving whispers were always in her ears, like a story she’d been told, the story of a thing she did not deserve. But he understood. He called those thoughts “the baby teeth of a snake,” and swore he would rip them out of her, and pledged to prove to her that the opposite was true. And he didn’t even have to explain to her what he meant by “the opposite”; she knew it was the opposite of her.”