He needed her so badly, to reassure himself of his own existence, that he never comprehended the desperation in her dazzling, permanent smile, the terror in the brightness with which she faced the world, or the reasons why she hid when she couldn't manage to beam... every moment she spent in the world was full of panic, so she smiled and smiled and maybe once a week she locked the door and shook and felt like a husk, like an empty peanut-shell, a monkey without a nut.
The quote reflects a deep emotional dependency where one character desperately relies on another for their sense of existence. This reliance obscures his understanding of her struggles, as her outward brilliance masks an inner turmoil. Though she appears to radiate joy through her smile, it serves as a façade to hide her anxiety and fear of the world around her.
Behind this continual display of happiness lies her real experience, marked by moments of isolation and despair. Despite the façade of confidence, she often feels hollow, akin to an empty shell, indicating a profound disconnect between her inner self and the persona she projects. This creates a poignant commentary on the complexities of emotional interdependence and the hidden battles many face within.
