Black Narcissus (1947)
Deborah Kerr: Sister Clodagh
Photos
Quotes
-
Sister Clodagh : [to Mr. Dean] You are objectionable when sober, and abominable when drunk!
-
Mother Dorothea : Give her responsibility, Sister. She badly wants importance.
Sister Clodagh : Do you think it's a good thing to let her feel important?
Mother Dorothea : Spare her some of your own importance... if you can.
-
Sister Clodagh : Well I really don't know what to do.
Mr. Dean : What would Christ have done?
-
Mr. Dean : [Meeting Sister Clodagh for the first time] I'm the general's agent. He welcomes you to Mopu. Understood you wanted to see me.
Sister Clodagh : We want to talk to you on business.
Mr. Dean : I didn't suppose you wanted to talk to me about anything else.
Mr. Dean : [Realizing his comment was a bit snarky] Sorry. Perhaps that wasn't fair.
Sister Clodagh : Mr. Dean, you know that General Toda Rai has given us this house for a new foundation of our Order. We very much appreciate it. It's very generous of him.
Mr. Dean : Yes. You'd like the General, Sister. He also has a superior being.
Sister Briony : [Taken aback] Really!
Sister Clodagh : I don't know why you are being so rude to me, Mr. Dean. I have to talk business with you whether I like it or not.
Mr. Dean : Well, talk it, then, and don't teach at me.
-
Mother Dorothea : [At their Order's office in Calcutta] Sister Clodagh, we may proceed with our plans at Mopu. It will be called "Saint Faith."
Sister Clodagh : [Mechanically repeating the Reverend Mother's words] "Saint Faith."
Mother Dorothea : And YOU have been appointed to take charge of Saint Faith.
Sister Clodagh : I, Reverend Mother?
Mother Dorothea : You... You will be the youngest Sister Superior in our order.
Sister Clodagh : Thank you, Reverend Mother.
-
Mother Dorothea : -
[With Sister Clodagh: looking at photos of the palace at Mopu]
Mother Dorothea : The house is nine thousand feet up - very cold, but good air. General Toda Rai, who has invited us to Mopu, has promised us every help. He was a little afraid when he learned that we are bound to our order only by yearly vows. I explained this rule to him.
Sister Clodagh : Yes, Reverend Mother.
Mother Dorothea : For more than a century, to serve voluntarily has been one of the glories of our Order.
Sister Clodagh : And our greatest strength.
Mother Dorothea : Exactly. He understands now. Is there anything you would like to ask?
Sister Clodagh : Who am I to take with me?
-
Mother Dorothea : [the Reverend Mother and Sister Clodagh survey the sisters of the Order, determining who will go to Mopu] Remember, a community is not a class of girls. The sisters won't be easy to manage or to impress. Now, let me see. I'll give you Sister Briony. You'll need her strength.
Sister Clodagh : Thank you, Reverend Mother.
Mother Dorothea : Sister Philippa for the garden... Sister Blanche.
Sister Clodagh : Sister Blanche?
Mother Dorothea : You know what the other girls call her?
Sister Clodagh : Sister Honey.
Mother Dorothea : Yes, Honey. I think you'll need Sister Honey. She's popular. And you'll need to be popular... And Sister Ruth.
Sister Clodagh : [Surprised] But Sister Ruth is ill.
Mother Dorothea : That is why I want her to go.
Sister Clodagh : Forgive me for saying so, Reverend Mother, but do you think our vocation is her vocation?
Mother Dorothea : [Nodding knowingly] Yes, she's a problem. I'm afraid she'll be a problem for you, too. With a smaller community, she may be better. Give her responsibility, Sister. She badly wants importance.
Sister Clodagh : Do you think it's a good thing to let her feel important?
Mother Dorothea : Spare her some of your own importance... if you can.
Sister Clodagh : Mother, are you sorry that I have been appointed to take charge of St. Faith?
Mother Dorothea : Yes. I don't think you're ready for it, and I think you'll be lonely. Never forget: we're an order of workers. Work them hard. And remember... the superior of all is the servant of all.
Sister Clodagh : I understand.
-
Sister Clodagh : We all need discipline. You said yourself they're like children. Without discipline we should all behave like children.
Mr. Dean : Oh. Don't you like children, Sister?
-
[last lines]
Sister Clodagh : You said you'd give us till the rains break.
Mr. Dean : They haven't broken yet. What will they do with you down there?
Sister Clodagh : I shall be sent to another convent with less responsibility. I shall be superseded as sister-in-charge.
Mr. Dean : Will you be able to stomach that... a stiff-necked, obstinate creature like you?
Sister Clodagh : It's what I need. I expect I shall have to remind myself of it a hundred times a day. I can't change in a minute, like the young General. But I shall have my ghosts to remind me.
Mr. Dean : You're leaving me with more than one.
Sister Clodagh : Will you do one last thing for me? I know you'd rather not do it.
Mr. Dean : Of course I'll do it.
Sister Clodagh : Will you look after the grave?
Mr. Dean : All right.
Sister Clodagh : Goodbye.
Mr. Dean : Goodbye.
