How many young men, in all previous times of unprecedented steadiness, had turned suddenly wild and wicked for the same reason, and, in an ecstasy of unrequited love, taken to wrench off door-knockers, and invert the boxes of rheumatic watchmen!
Interpretation
The quote reflects the irrational and wild behavior that can stem from unrequited love, illustrating how strong emotions can lead to unexpected actions.
In this quote, Charles Dickens captures the frantic and often irrational responses of young men when faced with unrequited love. He highlights how the intensity of their feelings can drive them to acts of mischief and rebellion, comparing their emotional turbulence to a sudden departure from societal norms. The quote suggests that love, particularly when not reciprocated, can lead to a loss of control and a desperate search for expression, no matter how absurd the actions may be.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about the irrational decisions we make in love.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
I dream of a love that is more than two people craving to possess one another.
Some words have to be explicitly uttered, Lenore. Only by actually uttering certain words does one really DO what one SAYS. 'Love' is one of those words, performative words. Some words can literally make things real.
I love you, Katie. You might not be ready to say those words now, and maybe you'll never be able to say them, but that doesn't change how I feel about you.
You don't have to be born beautiful to be wildly attractive.
I don't want to turn any of this into poetry / but / you're so beautiful / flowers turn their heads to smell you
His wedding gift, clasped round my throat. A choker of rubies, two inches wide, like an extraordinarily precious slit throat.
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