Eleven's 5 best quotes from Stranger Things

One of the most layered characters on television, Eleven is at the center of the plot in Stranger Things. Millie Bobby Brown has been brilliant in portraying the character who communicates in all other ways but through dialogues. Despite the minimal dialogue delivery, Eleven has managed to become one of the most loved characters on the show owing to her complex backstory as well as some well-written and perfectly delivered one-liners.

Considering how rarely she pours her heart out, these one-liners become the entire essence of not just Eleven’s character but the essence of the show’s core emotion as well. The evolution of her speech from barely speaking to putting in efforts into maintaining relationships is also proof of the character arc that she underwent.

Here are some of the most memorable and powerful quotes from Eleven through the four seasons of Stranger Things.

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"Halfway happy" and 4 other iconic Eleven quotes from Stranger Things

1) "I'm the monster."

The mysterious nature of Eleven’s character is consistent throughout the first season. Even in the seasons that follow, her character is very slowly revealed to keep up the suspense. Like the audience, the boys in the show are also suspicious of her for the longest time. They suspect her of having evil intentions because of how secretive she seems about most things.

This line comes right after Eleven and the boys part ways for a bit before she heroically saves Mike. Referring to the fact that it was her indeed who opened the gate to the Upside Down, she says:

“I’m the monster."

Although Mike immediately points out that she saved him, this line is indicative of Eleven’s character in many ways. Her dual perspective on her identity, her fear, and her friendship all come through as she is stuck in the dilemma of whether she is actually the monster in the situation.

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2) "Mouthbreather."

Most of Eleven’s idea of the real world comes from her friendship with the boys and especially her relationship with Mike. Despite barely speaking through the first season, she manages to grasp most information that is available around her, creating for herself a steep learning curve through that season.

Mike calls a bully "mouthbreather" in front of Eleven first, explaining that it refers to a a dumb person or a knucklehead. Although this seems like a normal expository scene, it is called back to when she tries to steal Eggos and calls an attendant a mouthbreather.

The dialogue was highly cinematic in how unpredictably it was executed and just how many volumes it speaks about Eleven’s character development.

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3) "What is 'friend'?"

Another iconic one-liner that does a great job in establishing Eleven’s character, this dialogue comes when she asks Mike the meaning of the word ‘friend.’

This one doesn’t only explain how distanced Eleven is from the real world but also comments on how deprived of love and affection she has been for all these years. It is an oddly emotional moment when Mike very patiently explains to her that friends are people you’d do anything for.

This line becomes more powerful in the seasons that follow, as we discover more about the emotional repression, trauma, and pain that Eleven went through in the lab. It almost explains the character’s entire nature in itself.

Mike’s definition also stays with her for several seasons of Stranger Things as she is truly unstoppable when it comes to standing up for her friends, even if that means giving herself up.

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4) "Halfway happy."

Although this one seems like a fairly straightforward dialogue, the script hints at the metaphorical significance of this one through multiple references. It is first said by Hopper when he tries to explain to Eleven what the meaning of the word compromise is. He does this to help her out as she is upset about not being able to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.

At this stage, Eleven is still very gradually getting familiar with verbal communication. When she learns this phrase ‘halfway happy’, she uses it in a lot of circumstances to come, perhaps because of how much that explains her life at the time. Despite technically being put out of her misery, she continues to deal with the demons from her past. She knows she has wonderful friends but is separated from them and can’t spend time with them.

All these things explain the relative betterment in her emotional state even while she continues to be halfway unhappy. The line almost conveys the emotional compromise that she’s forced to come to terms with.

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5) “I do not belong. Anywhere.”

Owing to her restricted upbringing, Eleven doesn’t find it easy to adapt to the environment she is put in. No matter where she is, the struggle she puts up with is consistent. While she craves a social life and affection when in isolation in the cottage, an excessively eventful life at high school is also a problem. When those around her too are doubtful of her social abilities, it takes a toll on her, and she attempts to explain it to Mike saying:

“I do not belong. Anywhere.”

This is also expressive how distanced she is from the world as a result of her early isolation. The entire after effect of her traumatic experiences are reflected through this one line and her general inability to adapt.

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Some of these iconic dialogues became the most cinematic moments of the show and bring out the emotional world that is central to the show.

Eleven’s characterisation and development explain why Stranger Things on Netflix managed to become such a popular show that is critically acclaimed as well.