Question

n Chapter 14 Jeanne says, “Then one afternoon there came a moment when I was cut off from both of them, Papa and Mama together. It wasn’t loneliness I felt, or isolation; they were still within reach. Rather, it was that first, brief flicker of total separateness. It could have occurred anywhere we might have been living; I had reached the age.” What did she mean by this?

Answer 1

In Chapter 14 of the book, Jeanne describes a moment when she felt a sense of total separateness from both her parents. She explains that it wasn't a feeling of loneliness or isolation because her parents were still physically present and within reach. Instead, she describes it as a flicker of separateness that she experienced for the first time.

What Jeanne means by this is that she has reached an age where she is starting to develop her own identity and sense of self, separate from her parents. This is a normal part of growing up and becoming more independent. It's a significant moment for Jeanne because it signifies a shift in her relationship with her parents. She is no longer just a child dependent on them, but someone who is starting to establish her own individuality. This moment could have occurred regardless of where they were living, as it is a personal and internal experience.

Overall, Jeanne's statement reflects the universal experience of teenagers growing up and asserting their independence. It is a moment of self-discovery and the beginning of a journey towards becoming their own person.