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How far did they fly? Five and a half thousand as the…

“How far did they fly? Five and a half thousand as the crow. Or: from Indianness to Englishness, an immeasurable distance. Or, not very far at all, because they rose from one great city, fell to another. The distance between cities is always small; a villager, travelling a hundred miles to town…” quote by Salman Rushdie
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““How far did they fly? Five and a half thousand as the crow. Or: from Indianness to Englishness, an immeasurable distance. Or, not very far at all, because they rose from one great city, fell to another. The distance between cities is always small; a villager, travelling a hundred miles to town, traverses emptier, darker, more terrifying space.””

Salman Rushdie

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Travel across cultures feels both vast and intimate, highlighting how distances shrink when shared origins are recognized.

In simple terms: Cultural journeys feel both far and near.

Key Takeaway

Recognize shared humanity.

Themes

culture travel identity

Mood

contemplative melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • immigration
  • education
  • personal growth
  • cross‑cultural communication

Key Concepts

postcolonialism migration psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What assumptions make cultural differences seem larger?
  • How can shared stories bridge perceived gaps?
A Different Perspective

Distance can be amplified by prejudice and fear.

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