If you want to see how far we have not come from the cave and the woods, from the lonely and dangerous days of the prarie or the plain, witness the reaction of a modern suburban family, nearly ready for bed, when the doorbell rings or the door is rattled. They will stop where they stand, or sit bolt upright in their beds, as if a streak of pure lightning has passed through the house. Eyes wide, voices fearful, they will whisper to each other, "There's someone at the door, " in a way that might make you believe they have always feared and anticipated this moment - that they have spent their lives being stalked. Alice McDermott
About This Quote

The modern world has made it possible for people to experience many things. It is so easy to be part of society and reach out and touch someone. We can reach out and be touched by others who we never thought we would ever see again. This quote captures the emotion and fear of not knowing if someone is at the door or not, and how we react when we do know that someone is at the door.

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More Quotes By Alice McDermott
  1. He loved her because it was his nature to do so, but there were times when he could not endure her love for him. There were times when it became nothing but pure idiot mystery...
  2. Where you come from is gone, where you thought you were going to was never there, and where you are is no good unless you can get away from it. Where is there a place for you to be? No place... Nothing outside you can...
  3. Accepting oneself does not preclude an attempt to become better.
  4. Everywhere I go I'm asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them. There's many a best-seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.
  5. I don't deserve any credit for turning the other cheek as my tongue is always in it.
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