THE HOLE The hole is something which longs to be filled…
““THE HOLE The hole is something which longs to be filled. The small child is drawn as if by magic to holes. He can not restrain himself from putting in his finger or his whole arm. He makes a symbolic sacrifice of his body to cause the void to disappear and a plenitude of being to exist. The fundamental tendency of human beings to stop up holes persists throughout life, symbolically and in reality. And only from this standpoint can we understand why the feminine sex is obscene. It is obscene because it is a hole and because it sends out an appeal for a plenitude of flesh. A woman also senses her condition as such an appeal, such an enticement. Thus every hole becomes something obscene because it “is an obscene expectation.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage links human fascination with holes to deeper symbolic drives, suggesting that desire and perceived emptiness fuel sexual and existential longing.
In simple terms: Human attraction to voids reflects deeper desires.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address underlying voids.
Themes
desire
symbolism
existentialism
Mood
reflective
provocative
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- artistic expression
- therapy sessions
- philosophical discussions
Key Concepts
psychology
sexuality
void
symbolic sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal 'voids' drive your behavior?
- How do cultural narratives shape perceptions of desire?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations may vary; not all view holes as inherently obscene.