"What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which had haunted my midnight pillow"
- Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
About this Quote
This quote by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley talks with the power of fear as well as the capacity of someone's experience to terrify others. By explaining the specter that haunted her twelve o'clock at night pillow, Shelley is suggesting that her very own fear can be shared by others. This quote implies that anxiety is infectious and also can be spread out via narration. It also recommends that worry can be an effective motivator, as it can cause people to act or to prevent specific circumstances. By explaining her own concern, Shelley is wanting to inspire others to act and to confront their own fears. Ultimately, this quote speaks to the power of fear and also the ability of someone's experience to horrify others.
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