defiance

Hi everyone

I didn't find in WR a meaning to fit the following sentence:

"Although the talking-to her daddy gave her that evening about being careful filled her with such dread and defiance that it stayed with her for years."

She was 12 and spoke to a stranger, reason why her father called her for a talk.

It can't be in the sense of "challenge", can it?

Thanks for your time

K

Sorry about that.

The Shining Girls, by Lauren Beikes

It may be the odd pairing of 'dread and defiance' that misleads you, since they seem to imply opposite emotions.

Defiance has its usual meaning, a wish to confront of defy authority. I suppose that in this case, she didn't want to follow her father's advice not to talk to strangers.

However, you know the more about the context -- the character and what she does later -- than I do. You will be better able to make sense of how this affects her later.

I hope so. Thank you for your priceless help.

K