“I sort of thought that maybe people had to talk that way, sort of saying the same things over and over because that way they can get along together without thinking." She stopped and thought. Why I was so worried,” she said, “was because if people didn't say those damn things over and over, then they wouldn't talk to each other at all.”
Shirley Jackson“All cat stories start with the statement: 'My mother, who was the first cat, told me this,' and I lay with Jonas listening to his stories.”
Shirley Jackson, We Have Always Lived in the Castle“I never was a person who wanted a handout. I was a cafeteria worker. I'm not too proud to ask the Best Western manager to give me a job. I have cleaned homes.”
Shirley Jackson“I have always loved to use fear, to take it and comprehend it and make it work and consolidate a situation where I was afraid and take it whole and work from there.”
Shirley Jackson“It’s not nice to think of children growing up like mushrooms, in the dark.”
Shirley Jackson“Everything is worse...if you think something is looking at you.”
Shirley Jackson“Around the house, my head deep in a pillowcase or the oven, my eyes focused on that supernatural neatness which the housewife sees somehow shadowing her familiar furniture, it was largely possible to disregard, or not-quite-hear, Sally, but in the car I was entirely what I believe is called a captive audience.”
Shirley Jackson“I am living on the moon, I told myself, I have little house all by myself on the moon.”
Shirley Jackson“So long as you write it away regularly nothing can really hurt you.”
Shirley Jackson