Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
There's a Mr. Hyde for every happy Jekyll face, a dark face on the other side of the mirror. The brain behind that face never heard of razors, prayers, or the logic of the universe. You turn the mirror sideways and see your face reflected with a sinister left-hand twist, half mad and half sane.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote illustrates the duality of human nature, revealing that inside every person lies both light and darkness.
Stephen King's quote explores the complexities of human identity, suggesting that everyone possesses a dichotomy of good and evil within them. The reference to Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll symbolizes the struggle between our civilized selves and our darker instincts, indicating that acknowledging this duality is essential for understanding ourselves fully. The 'sinister left-hand twist' metaphorically represents the hidden aspects of our psyche that we may not always confront, yet they coexist with our more rational, sane side.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about mental health, referencing this quote can highlight the complexity of our emotions.
More from Stephen King
All quotes →Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
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