What a strange, sad man is he!" said the child, as if speaking partly to herself. "In the dark night-time, he calls us to him, and holds thy hand and mine, as when we stood with him on the scaffold yonder! And in the deep forest, where only the old trees can hear, and the strip of sky see it, he talks with thee, sitting on a heap of moss! And he kisses my forehead, too, that the little brook would hardly wash it off! But here in the sunny day, and among all the people, he knows us not; nor must we know him! A strange, sad man is he, with is hand always over his heart!
The child reflects on the nature of a mysterious man who seems to connect with them in moments of solitude, reminding her of a shared past on the scaffold. In these dark, intimate settings, he shows affection and companionship that contrasts sharply with his behavior in public, where he seems detached and unrecognizable. The child's observations highlight the dichotomy between private emotion and public persona.
This juxtaposition emphasizes the theme of isolation and sadness that permeates the man's character. Despite the warmth experienced in the dark and hidden places, there exists a profound loneliness in the daylight, where societal norms prevent genuine connections. The quote encapsulates the essence of a troubled individual burdened by invisible scars, making the child's insights both poignant and deeply sympathetic.
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!
