When she smiled, her mouth showed too many teeth, but at night Trip Fontaine dreamed of being bitten by each one.
In Jeffrey Eugenides' novel "The Virgin Suicides," the character Trip Fontaine is captivated by the Lisbon sisters, particularly their beauty and enigmatic nature. The narrative highlights the contrast between the sisters' seemingly perfect lives and the profound melancholy that surrounds them. Trip's attraction to one sister, in particular, reflects a blend of desire and the allure of danger.
The quote illustrates this complex feeling—Trip is drawn to the sister's smile, which reveals an abundance of teeth, hinting at both innocence and predatory allure. His nighttime fantasies of being bitten suggest a longing for deeper connection, while also acknowledging the risks involved in that desire. This duality encapsulates the themes of fascination and tragedy within the story.
