Quote by Charles Dickens
That, they never could lay their heads upon their pillows; that, they could never tolerate the idea of their wives laying their heads upon their pillows; that, they could never endure the notion of their children laying their heads on their pillows; in short , that there never more could be , for them or theirs , any laying of heads upon pillows at all , unless the prisioner's head was taken off.The Attorney General during the trial of Mr. Darnay
Summary
This quote highlights the immense fear and apprehension that the speaker, namely the Attorney General, and those supporting his perspective experience. They are so consumed by their desire for retribution and punishment that the thought of anyone, including their own families, experiencing peace or comfort is unbearable to them. The intense conviction to execute the prisoner, Mr. Darnay, becomes a necessity in order to restore a sense of equilibrium in their disturbed emotions, implying a twisted justification for their pursuit of justice.