They have stifled me with their middle-class gentleness, and I can hardly understand how it is that there is… — Emile Zola
They have stifled me with their middle-class gentleness, and I can hardly understand how it is that there is still blood in my veins. I have lowered my eyes, and given myself a mournful, idiotic face like theirs. I have led their deathlike life.
Source: Wikiquote · CC BY-SA 4.0
More from this book
In reality, one single thought tormented them: they were irritated at their crime, and in despair at having for ever troubled their lives.
Sometimes, forcing themselves to hope, they sought to resume the burning dreams of other days, and were quite astonished to find they had no imagination.
It was like a lightning flash of passion, swift and blinding in a leaden sky.
