Stevenson threw back his head and made a slow murmuring sound, If only I could secure a violent death.Pardon?What a fine success! Stevenson continued, spurring Jack into a canter as he lost himself in his thoughts. I wish to die in my boots, you see, Mr. Porter. To be drowned, to be shot, to be thrown from this horse into a ditch, Mr. Fergins--aye, to be hanged, rather than pass through the slow dissolution of illnesses!
In "The Last Bookaneer" by Matthew Pearl, the character Stevenson expresses a rather intense desire regarding his fate. He longs for a dramatic and violent death rather than succumbing to the slow decline that comes with illness. This yearning represents a broader existential contemplation about the nature of mortality and the ways in which individuals wish to leave their mark on the world. Stevenson finds inspiration in the idea of a noble end, one that resonates with adventure and bravado.
As he rides along, engaging in conversation with Jack and Mr. Porter, Stevenson's thoughts become increasingly introspective. His longing for a death that embodies passion and courage reveals a deep-seated fear of a mundane and drawn-out demise. This moment captures the essence of a character who seeks significance and intensity in life, preferring a dramatic exit over a quiet fade, suggesting that for some, the manner of dying is as important as living itself.
Rate the Quote
User Reviews
Other quotes in book quote
All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
