In Alice Munro's book "Too Much Happiness," she explores the complex emotions children experience, particularly their use of the term "hate." For children, this word can convey a range of feelings, often rooted in fear rather than the idea of physical harm. They may associate "hate" with something unsettling or menacing, reflecting a deeper psychological response to their surroundings.

Children's definitions of "hate" can stem from their perceptions of unfamiliar or frightening objects and places, such as eerie house faces or dimly lit cellars. These emotions illustrate how young individuals perceive the world around them, often ascribe dark intentions to seemingly benign things, and reveal their struggles to articulate their fears and anxieties.