Lost in Lualand

So there's a Certain Type of Moment in fiction, where a character Speaks What Is Probably The Author's Thoughts. Or, maybe they're not even speaking the author's thoughts in particular, but they are Speaking About Their Own Experience In An Unusually Lucid and Clearheaded Manner.

I think we all know that moment. I'm sort of struggling to come up with examples right now, perhaps because I've had like a whole bottle of wine, but also because, for me, when these moments are done well, it's hard to remember the distinct moment (can you remember any particular chord in your favorite classical music piece?), and when it's done poorly, it stands out—but if it's done poorly, the whole piece probably sucks enough that it's pretty forgettable.

The only example I can think of off the top my head is (don't laugh) 8 Mile, which I watched when I was like twelve–but there was a pretty distinct moment, after Eminem's character has just gotten trashed in a fight, or owned in a rap battle, or some shit, he says to a friend: "Do you ever wonder at what point you just got to say fuck it man? Like when you gotta stop living up here, and start living down here?"

It's a pretty stark assessment of the main character's situation. But it also somehow feels genuine, coming on the heels of some shit we've seen him go through, and since it's just understated enough to work. (Or, worked when I was twelve and watching this. Don't quote me.)

Anyway, I am appealing to y'all for help. Can you think of moments in fiction where such a "moment of truth" was particularly successful or unsuccessful? If so, please tell me about it?

This is definitely maybe possibly prompted by me trying to write some origfic and Not Being Very Good At It (TM) :D;;;;

<3 lua