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Marianne: Sometimes it's like husband and wife are talking on telephones that are out of order.
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Johan: You need to put a lot of effort into not caring.
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Marianne: We're pitiful, self-indulgent cowards that can't connect with reality and are ashamed of ourselves.
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Johan: Affection shouldn't be kept just for vacations.
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Johan: We're emotional illiterates. We've been taught about anatomy and farming methods in Africa. We've learned mathematical formulas by heart. But we haven't been taught a thing about our souls. We're tremendously ignorant about what makes people tick.
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Marianne: Sometimes it grieves me that I have never loved anyone. I don't think I've ever been loved either. It really distresses me.
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Johan: I don't know what my love looks like, and I can't describe it. Most of the time I can't feel it.
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Marianne: Are we living in utter confusion?
Johan: You and I?
Marianne: No, all of us.
Johan: What do you mean?
Marianne: I'm talking about fear, uncertainty and ignorance.Do you think that secretly we're afraid we're slipping downhill and don't know what to do?
Johan: Yes, I think so.
Marianne: Is it too late?
Johan: Yes. But we shouldn't say things like that. Only think them.
Marianne: Have we missed something important?
Johan: All of us?
Marianne: Yes...
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Marianne: I felt inadequate at work and at home, and I was a washout in bed too. I was hedged in by all the griping and endless demands! Goddamn you! Was it so strange that I used sex for leverage? I was outnumbered, having to fight you, both sets of parents and society! When I think about what I endured, I could scream! I tell you this: never again! You sit there whining about conspiracies. Well, it serves you right! I hope you'll have it rammed down your throat that you're a useless parasite.
Johan: You're being utterly grotesque!
Marianne: So what? That's what I've become!
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Marianne: Sometimes you ask such goddamn silly questions.
Johan: Sorry. Are you angry with me?
Marianne: I'm not angry, but I'm on the verge of tears. The trouble with me is that I can't get angry. I wish that for once in my life I could really lose my temper, as I sometimes feel I have every right to. I think it would change my life. But that's not the point. You spoke earlier about loneliness. That bit about being strong on your own. I don't believe in your gospel of isolation.I think it's a sign of weakness.
Johan: What's wrong, Marianne?
Marianne: It's so... humbling.
Johan: What's humbling?
Marianne: I think about you... and I think about myself and about the future. I can't see how you're going to cope without me. Sometimes I think in desperation, "I must look after Johan. He's my responsibility. It's up to me to make sure he's all right. That's the only our lives will be worthwhile."
Marianne: I don't believe people are strong all on their own. You have to have someone's hand to hold.
Scenes from a Marriage Quotes
Extended Reading
