The Woman in Black Fear Quotes
How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Doubtless, in such a place as this, with its eerie marshes, sudden fogs, moaning winds… any poor old woman might be looked at askance; once upon a time, after all, she would have been branded as a witch… (4.19)
At first, Arthur thinks that people were afraid of Mrs. Drablow because she was an old woman. Silly yokels, right? Surprise! She's not the one they're afraid of.
Quote #2
Mr. Jerome looked frozen, pale, his throat moving as if he were unable to utter. (4.54)
Mr. Jerome is truly afraid, but he's not going to give any clues as to why. Why is everyone so vague? Why don't they want to warn Arthur away?
Quote #3
I stood absolutely helpless in the mist that clouded me and everything from my sight, almost weeping in an agony of fear and frustration, and I knew that I was hearing… appalling last noises of a pony and trap, carrying a child in it… (6.6)
Arthur feels completely helpless and frozen with fear when he hears the pony and trap, which he assumes to be real. But it's even scarier when he realizes that the sounds aren't real.
Quote #4
For how long I sat there, in extremes of despair and fearfulness, I do not know. (6.11)
Eel Marsh House sure draws out some extreme emotions in Arthur. Is any job really worth this kind of despair?
Quote #5
I had been as badly frightened as a man could be. I did not think that I would be the first to run from physical risks and dangers, although I had no reason to suppose myself markedly braver than the next person. (7.3)
Arthur's been pretty shaken up by the whole affair at Eel Marsh House and he wants out ASAP. No more Mr. Brave Guy; more like Mr. Get Out of Dodge Guy.
Quote #6
But at my feet, the dog Spider began to whine, a thin, pitiful, frightened moan, and to back away from the door a little and press against my legs. (9.25)
If there's one thing we've learned from horror movies, it's to always trust the dog's instincts. Trust us, you don't want to know what's behind that door.
Quote #7
My whole body was trembling, my mouth dry, the palms of my hands sore where I had dug my nails into them as I had stood… (9.50)
No matter what Arthur's rational brain thinks, his body knows better: there's a very, very good reason to be afraid.
Quote #8
In a curious way, it was her fearfulness that persuaded me that I must retain control of myself…
Arthur pulls himself together for the dog. How manly of him.
Quote #9
My fear reached a new height, until for a minute I thought I would die of it, was dying, for I could not conceive of a man being able to endure such shocks and starts… (9.55)
Uh-oh. That door at the end of the hallway that was locked this whole time is now mysteriously open—never a good sign. But is it more frightening to see what's in there, or to go downstairs and not know?
Quote #10
I was paralyzed, rooted to the spot on which I stood, and all the world went dark around me and the shouts and happy cries of all the children faded. (12.24)
Now that Arthur has learned how to feel fear, he feels plenty of it when he sees the woman in black again. Unfortunately, just feeling fear isn't enough to save his wife and child.