“My father always used to tell one of his dreams, because it somehow seemed of a piece with what was to follow. He believed that it was a consequence of the thing's presence in the next room. My father dreamed of blood.It was the vividness of the dreams that was impressive, their minute detail and horrible reality. The blood came through the keyhole of a locked door which communicated with the next room. I suppose the two rooms had originally been designed en suite. It ran down the door panel with a viscous ripple, like the artificial one created in the conduit of Trumpingdon Street. But it was heavy, and smelled. The slow welling of it sopped the carpet and reached the bed. It was warm and sticky. My father woke up with the impression that it was all over his hands. He was rubbing his first two fingers together, trying to rid them of the greasy adhesion where the fingers joined." ("The Troll")”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis:
In this quote from T.H. White's "The Troll," the protagonist recounts a disturbing dream his father had about blood seeping into a room from a locked door. The dream is vividly described, with details that evoke a sense of horror and disgust. The description of the blood as warm, sticky, and smelling adds to the eerie atmosphere of the dream. The dream seems to symbolize a sense of impending doom or hidden danger, as hinted at by the protagonist's father's belief that it was connected to something in the next room. This dream sets a tone of unease and sets the stage for what is to follow in the story.
Modern Relevance
In this excerpt from T.H. White's "The Troll," the vivid and unsettling dream of blood serves as a harbinger of something ominous to come. The detailed description of the blood dripping through a locked door can be interpreted as a metaphor for suppressed emotions or dark secrets that eventually seep into our lives if left unaddressed. This idea of repressed issues manifesting in unexpected ways can be seen as a cautionary tale in today's society, where mental health and emotional well-being are increasingly important topics of discussion.
Example of Usage
In this excerpt from T.H. White's "The Troll," the vivid dreams experienced by the narrator's father are described in detail. The dream of blood seeping through a locked door showcases the eerie and unsettling nature of the dreams.
Reflection Questions:
- How does the vividness of the father's dream contribute to the overall sense of unease and tension in the story?
- What do you think the presence of blood in the father's dream symbolizes or foreshadows?
- How does the description of the blood running through the keyhole and onto the carpet add to the atmosphere of the story?
- In what ways does the dream reflect or parallel events in the story itself?
- How does the father's reaction to the dream, specifically his attempt to rid his hands of the imagined blood, reveal his mindset or character traits?
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