Some of those who had been among the most industrious, the…
““Some of those who had been among the most industrious, the kindest, and the most stalwart citizens of Village now went to the platform and shouted their wish that the border be closed so that 'we' (Matty shuddered at the use of 'we') would not have to share the resources anymore. 'We need all the fish for ourselves. Our school is not big enough to teach their children, too; only our own. They can't even speak right. We can't understand them. They have too many needs. We don't want to tale care of them.' And finally: 'We've done it long enough.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A community turns selfish, fearing outsiders and hoarding resources, revealing xenophobia and selfishness.
In simple terms: People become selfish and fear outsiders.
Key Takeaway
Beware of selfishness and exclusion.
Themes
xenophobia
selfishness
community
fear
resource hoarding
Mood
anxious
critical
reflective
Type
cautionary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- school policy
- immigration debates
- resource allocation
- community planning
Key Concepts
in-group bias
dehumanization
scarcity mindset
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears drive exclusionary attitudes?
- How can empathy counter selfish resource hoarding?
A Different Perspective
Such attitudes can erode social cohesion and moral responsibility.