It's a good excuse, though, orphanhood. It explains everything-every mistake and wrong turn. As Sherlock Holmes declared. She had no mother to advise her. How we long for it, that lack of advice! Imprudence could have been ours. Passionate affairs. Reckless adventures. Of course we're grateful for our stable upbringings, our hordes of informative relatives, our fleece-lined advantages, our lack of dramatic plots. But there's a corner of envy in us all the same. Why doesn't anything of interest happen to us, coddled as we are? Why do the orphans get all the good lines?
The quote reflects on the complexities of orphanhood and its perceived advantages in storytelling. It suggests that being without parental guidance allows for a certain freedom that can lead to mistakes, adventures, and passionate encounters. The speaker acknowledges the allure of these experiences, which seem more vibrant compared to their own stable upbringing filled with advice and support. This dichotomy creates a sense of envy for those whose lives are perceived as more dramatic due to their lack of parental figures.
Despite recognizing the security and advantages of their own lives, the narrator questions why meaningful events seem reserved for orphans, who often occupy the captivating roles in narratives. The phrase echoes a common sentiment about longing for excitement and the thrill of the unknown, contrasting it with the mundane realities of a well-structured life. This tension between comfort and the desire for adventure forms a central theme in the thoughts expressed, revealing an underlying yearning for the stories that often belong to others.
