Rebecca, written by Daphne du Maurier, is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for decades. This hauntingly beautiful novel explores themes of love, jealousy, and identity, and is filled with memorable quotes that continue to resonate with readers today. In this article, we have compiled a collection of the most powerful and thought-provoking quotes from Rebecca, sure to inspire and move you.
Rebecca opens with the iconic line, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” This quote sets the tone for the entire novel, hinting at the haunting memories and secrets that await the protagonist. Throughout the story, the character of Rebecca looms large, her presence felt even in her absence. One of the most memorable quotes from the novel is, “I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.” This quote beautifully captures the intensity and all-consuming nature of first love, while also acknowledging its potential pitfalls.
Another poignant quote from Rebecca is, “Happiness is not a possession to be prized. It is a quality of thought, a state of mind.” This quote serves as a reminder that true happiness cannot be attained through material possessions, but rather through a positive mindset and contentment with what one already has. Rebecca also delves into the complexities of relationships, with the quote, “Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire.” This quote highlights the destructive nature of jealousy, showcasing its ability to consume and destroy relationships.
Read these quotes from Rebecca
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
“I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.”
“Happiness is not a possession to be prized. It is a quality of thought, a state of mind.”
“Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire.”
“I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone comes a moment of trial. We all of us have our particular devil who rides us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end.”
“I wish to God I were dead. Or that you were. And I don’t care how it happens.”
“Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind of the individual.”
“We can never go back again, that much is certain. The past is still close to us. The things we have tried to forget and put behind us would stir again, and that sense of fear, of furtive unrest, struggling at length to blind unreasoning panic – now mercifully stilled, thank God – might in some manner unforeseen become a living companion as it had before.”
“I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.”
“We did not speak. In the strange hours of the night, when the moon shone through the pallid spaces of the window and the wind howled about the house, I thought of her. I could not banish her from my thoughts. I would lie awake for hours, listening to the rhythm of the sea breaking in the cove, counting the hours to morning, longing for the day when I could see her again.”
“I am not mad. Why do you think I am mad? Can’t a man think, can’t a man consider, can’t a man have ideas without being accused of being mad? I suppose I shall be telling you next that I see things in the night.”
“It’s not that I don’t love you, and my tears are yet to dry. But you can’t go back and forth forever and we’ve already said goodbye.”
“I was happy for a little while and I wondered if you would always be that way. But I didn’t demand it of you, I didn’t hold you to it.”
“You thought I loved Rebecca? You thought that? I hated her!”
“We can never go back to Manderley again. That much is certain. But sometimes, in my dreams, I do go back to the strange days of my life which began for me in the south of France…”
“I know I’m not a very clever person, but I feel there’s something in the air, a kind of excitement that’s making me giddy. I don’t know whether it’s a new dress I’m wearing or springtime or that you’re here.”
“You see,” she said, snapping the catch of the handbag, “you see. You’re so very different from Rebecca.”
“I’m asking you to marry me, you little fool.”
“You thought that I loved Rebecca? You thought so? You thought she was so wonderful, so perfect? She was a bitch!”
“I wondered how many people there were in the world who suffered, and continued to suffer, because they could not break out from their own web of shyness and reserve, and in their blindness and folly built up a great distorted wall in front of them that hid the truth.”
These quotes from Rebecca offer a glimpse into the captivating world of the novel. Whether you are a fan of the book or new to the story, these quotes are sure to leave a lasting impression. The timeless themes and beautifully crafted language in Rebecca continue to resonate with readers, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally charged literary experience.
