QuoteProject
She didn't dare to look up, but she could feel their frightened eyes hanging onto her as she hauled the words in and breathed them out. A voice played the notes inside her. This, it said, is your accordion.
Markus Zusak
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote illustrates the struggle of expressing oneself under pressure while acknowledging the support of one’s inner voice.

In this quote, the author describes a moment of vulnerability where a person feels the weight of others' expectations while trying to communicate her thoughts and emotions. The reference to an 'accordion' symbolizes the complexity and range of feelings within her, suggesting that despite her apprehension, she has the ability to express herself fully and harmoniously. It emphasizes the importance of self-expression and the inner strength that lies within individuals, even when faced with external challenges.

Themes

Self-ExpressionVulnerabilityCourageInner VoiceSupport

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared in a motivational speech about facing fears and embracing one's voice.

More from Markus Zusak

Just be patient, she told herself, and with the mounting pages, the strength of her writing fist grew.
Markus ZusakRead
It felt as though the whole globe was dressed in snow. Like it has pulled it on, the way you pull on a sweater. Next to the train line, footprints were sunken to their shins. Trees wore blankets of ice. As you may expect, someone has died.
Markus ZusakRead
Because you don't learn anything unless you can find the patience to read. TV takes that away from you. It robs you from your mind.
Markus ZusakRead
Or had she always loved him? It's likely. Restricted as she was from speaking, she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to drag her hand across and pull her over. It didn't matter where. Her mouth, her neck, her cheek. Her skin was empty for it, waiting.
Markus ZusakRead
I think it's a mistake to think, 'Am I going to write a young adult book, or do I desperately want to write a book for adults?' I think the better ambition is to try to write someone's favorite book, because those categorizations of adult, young adult, become kind of superfluous.
Markus ZusakRead
I could introduce myself properly, but it's not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away.
Markus ZusakRead

Similar quotes

In my prayers every day, which are a combination of Hebrew prayers and Shakespeare and Sondheim lyrics and things people have said to me that I've written down and shoved in my pocket, I also say the name of every person I've ever known who's passed on.
Mandy PatinkinRead
I was eleven, then I was sixteen. Though no honors came my way, those were the lovely years.
Truman CapoteRead
I don’t want my thoughts to die with me, I want to have done something. I’m not interested in power, or piles of money. I want to leave something behind. I want to make a positive contribution - know that my life has meaning.
Temple GrandinRead
Life is too tragic for sadness: Let us rejoice.
Edward AbbeyRead
The happiest excitement in life is to be convinced that one is fighting for all one is worth on behalf of some clearly seen and deeply felt good, and against some greatly scorned evil.
Ruth BenedictRead
There are two things in life you cannot choose. The first is your enemies; the second your family. Sometimes the difference between them is hard to see, but in the end time will show you that the cards you have been dealt could always have been worse.
Carlos Ruiz ZafonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.