Now everything was changed. She walked about with cautious, anxious steps, staring constantly at the ground, on the lookout for things that crept and crawled. Bushes were dangerous, and so were sea grass and rain water. There were little animals everywhere. They could turn up between the covers of a book, flattened and dead, for the fact is that creeping animals, tattered animals, and dead animals are with us all our lives, from beginning to end. Grandmother tried to discuss this with her, to no avail. Irrational terror is so hard to deal with. [p. 136] . Tove Jansson
About This Quote

From the very beginning of their relationship, Grandmother's daughter was not just afraid of spiders, but of everything that moves. She views these things as predators, which are out to get her. The fear is so strong that the only way she can cope is through avoidance. Anything or anyone to which she gives any attention or thought is considered dangerous by her. It's all too much for her.

Source: The Summer Book

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