People who have lived through a war know that as it…
“People who have lived through a war know that as it approaches, an at first secret, unacknowledged, elation begins, as if an almost inaudible drum is beating ... an awful, illicit, violent excitement is abroad. Then the elation becomes too strong to be ignored or overlooked: then everyone is possessed by it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
War creates a paradoxical mix of hidden excitement and dread, turning anticipation into a powerful, uncontrollable collective feeling.
In simple terms: War brings secret excitement and fear.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and manage the emotional surge before it overwhelms.
Themes
war
psychology
collective emotion
anticipation
fear
Mood
tense
foreboding
intense
Type
literary
reflective
psychological
When to use this quote
- soldiers before civilians
- political leaders
- journalists
- students
Key Concepts
psychological tension
collective hysteria
moral conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- How does hidden excitement affect decision making?
- Can societies channel this energy constructively?
A Different Perspective
The excitement can blind judgment and fuel destructive actions.