For now," Amelie said. "Take her home. And -- " "Say…
““For now," Amelie said. "Take her home. And -- " "Say nothing -- yes, yes, I heard you the first seven hundred times," Myrnin said, much too sharply. "I'm ancient. I'm not deaf. " Amelie's cold expression deepened, and her gray eyes took on an unpleasant reddish glitter. "Do you think I find this a joking matter?" "Maybe you should," he said. "And maybe you should have cut off the old man's head when you had the chance. Absolutely no one would have argued with that choice. Merely walling him up, to increase his suffering and create an example -- that was unmerciful, and, worse, it was sloppy. I believe that flapping sound you hear is pigeons, coming home to roost.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A character dismisses emotional pleas, emphasizing harsh reality and cruelty over empathy, highlighting moral ambiguity.
In simple terms: Harsh choices outweigh empathy in this scene.
Key Takeaway
Question the morality of cruel decisions.
Themes
morality
cruelty
empathy
choice
Mood
dark
intense
Type
literary
dramatic
When to use this quote
- conflict
- leadership
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
ethical dilemmas
character analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- When is cruelty justified?
- How does power affect moral choices?
A Different Perspective
Empathy can be ignored for convenience.