Summary
This quote is meant to be interpreted metaphorically. It suggests that when love ends, women lose confidence and vitality, which metaphorically manifests as a decrease in height. The loss of love can have a profound impact on a person's self-esteem and sense of self, leading them to feel diminished both internally and externally. The remark serves to emphasize the emotional and psychological toll that the end of a romantic relationship can have on an individual, particularly women.
By M.C. Beaton