And dimly she realised one of the great laws of the human soul: that when the emotional soul receives a wounding shock, which does not kill the body, the soul seems to recover as the body recovers. But this is only appearance. It is really only the mechanism of the resumed habit. Slowly, slowly the wound to the soul begins to make itself felt, like a bruise, which only slowly deepens its terrible ache, till it fills all the psyche. And when we think we have recovered and forgotten, it is then that the terrible after-effects have to be encountered at their worst.
The passage highlights a profound truth about emotional healing. It suggests that while the body may appear to recover from trauma, the soul often lags behind. This discrepancy between physical and emotional healing can create an illusion of recovery, masking deeper wounds that continue to affect one’s psyche. The emotional scars often take time to surface, similar to the way a bruise becomes more painful over time.
This insight emphasizes the complexity of human emotions, revealing that what seems to be healing can sometimes be a mere facade. Just when one believes they have moved on, the latent pain can emerge, revealing the profound impact of emotional trauma. This suggests a hidden struggle within that requires acknowledgment and healing beyond the superficial recovery.