A small girl became increasingly paralysed by her parents' frequently violent rows. Sometimes she would spend hours standing completely still in the toilet, simply because that was where she happened to be when the fight began. Finally, in moments of calm, she would take bottles of milk from the fridge or doorstep and leave them in places where she may later become trapped. Her parents were unable to understand why they found bottles of sour milk in every room in the house.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the impact of parental conflict on a child's mental state and coping mechanisms.
In this quote by Sarah Kane, we see the profound effect that violent arguments between parents can have on a child. The small girl, overwhelmed by the chaos and fear created by her parents' fights, finds herself in a state of paralysis, both physically and emotionally. Her actions, such as hiding bottles of milk for later, illustrate her instinctual need to protect herself and create comfort, despite the turmoil surrounding her. This situation not only reflects her innocence but also underscores the often invisible struggles children face in abusive home environments.
In practice
This quote can be used in discussions about the effects of domestic violence on children in a support group.
I dread the loss of her I've never touched love keeps me a slave in a cage of tears I gnaw my tongue with which to her I can never speak I miss a woman who was never born I kiss a woman across the years that say we shall never meet Everything passes Everything perishes Everything palls my thought walks away with a killing smile leaving discordant anxiety which roars in my soul No hope No hope No hope No hope No hope No hope No hope
I hate the idea of theatre just being an evening pastime. It should be emotionally and intellectually demanding. I love football. The level of analysis that you listen to on the terraces is astonishing. If people did that in the theatre... but they don't. They expect to sit back and not participate.
It is myself I have never met whose face is pasted on the underside of my mind
Workers should have Sundays off because Sunday is for the family. Calling for Sundays to be a holiday.
All we got is the family unbroke.
The human father has to be confronted and recognized as human, as man who created a child and then, by his absence, left the child fatherless and then Godless.
Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.
My daughter was asked by a little old lady in a London hotel restaurant what her daddy did. She answered, “He’s a pirate” - I was very proud of that answer.
I'm not going to break up my family, not for a book.
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