I pay very little regard...to what any young person says on the subject of marriage. If they profess a disinclination for it, I only set it down that they have not yet seen the right person.
Jane AustenRead
What do you know of my heart? What do you know of anything but your own suffering. For weeks, Marianne, I've had this pressing on me without being at liberty to speak of it to a single creature. It was forced on me by the very person whose prior claims ruined all my hope. I have endured her exultations again and again whilst knowing myself to be divided from Edward forever. Believe me, Marianne, had I not been bound to silence I could have provided proof enough of a broken heart, even for you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote speaks to the deep personal suffering of unexpressed love and heartbreak, particularly in the context of relationship conflicts.
In this quote, the speaker expresses the turmoil and anguish of enduring unreciprocated love and the constraints imposed by societal expectations. The feelings of a 'broken heart' are heightened by the inability to openly share one's inner struggles with others, particularly when those struggles stem from complicated relationships. It highlights the isolation that can accompany emotional pain, especially when one feels misunderstood or judged by others.
Themes
HeartbreakSilenceLoveSufferingRelationshipsEmotions
In practice
Example use cases
In a literary analysis of Austen's works, this quote can illustrate the theme of unrequited love.
More from Jane Austen
All quotes →Nobody could catch cold by the sea; nobody wanted appetite by the sea; nobody wanted spirits; nobody wanted strength. Sea air was healing, softening, relaxing - fortifying and bracing - seemingly just as was wanted - sometimes one, sometimes the other. If the sea breeze failed, the seabath was the certain corrective; and where bathing disagreed, the sea air alone was evidently designed by nature for the cure.
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He certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.
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A person who is knowingly bent on bad behavior, gets upset when better behavior is expected of them.
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You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever.
Jane AustenRead
She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! Alas! She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
Jane AustenRead
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