Quotes from book

The Awakening

“She could only realize that she herself — her present self — was in some way different from the other self. That she was seeing with different eyes.”

“He could see plainly that she was not herself. That is, he could not see that she was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world.”

“There was no despondency when she fell asleep that night; nor was there hope when she awoke in the morning.”

“There was a dull pang of regret because it was not the kiss of love which had inflamed her, because it was not love which had held this cup of life to her lips.”

“There are some people who leave impressions not so lasting as the imprint of an oar upon the water.”

“She was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world.”

“To be an artist includes much; one must possess many gift -absolute gifts- which have not been acquired by one's effort. And, moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess the courageous soul.”

“I would give up the unessential; I would give up my money, I would give up my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself. I can't make it more clear; it's only something I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me.”

“A certain light was beginning to dawn dimly within her,—the light which, showing the way, forbids it.”

“Who can tell what metals the gods use in forging the subtle bond which we call sympathy, which we might as well call love.”

“We shall be everything to each other. Nothing else shall be of any consequence.”

“The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation.”

“The city atmosphere certainly has improved her. Some way she doesn't seem like the same woman.”

“The voice of the sea speaks to the soul.”

“I don't mind walking. I always feel so sorry for women who don't like to walk; they miss so much--so many rare little glimpses of life; and we women learn so little of life on the whole.”

“Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life.”

“It was not despair, but it seemed to her as if life were passing by, leaving its promises broken and unfulfilled. Yet there were other days when she listened, was led on and deceived by fresh promises which her youth had held out to her.”

“She's got some sort of notion in her head concerning the eternal rights of women.”

“The bird that would soar above the plane of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth.”