What's going on? A soul? Did you say, a soul? What the…
![“What's going on? A soul? Did you say, a soul? What the hell! Next thing you know we'll have cholera again. What did I tell you? [He tossed the thin one on his horns.] I told you so... we should operate on all of them, on the imagination. Extirpate the imagination. Surgery's the only answer…” quote by Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/1b6/yevgeny-zamyatin-1218_soul_what-s-going-on-a-soul-did-you-say-a-sou_987946.png)
““What's going on? A soul? Did you say, a soul? What the hell! Next thing you know we'll have cholera again. What did I tell you? [He tossed the thin one on his horns.] I told you so... we should operate on all of them, on the imagination. Extirpate the imagination. Surgery's the only answer... nothing but surgery...””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A critique of oppressive control over human imagination, urging radical removal of creative thought to enforce conformity.
In simple terms: Suppressing imagination leads to dehumanization.
Key Takeaway
Guard creative freedom.
Themes
control
imagination
conformity
freedom
authoritarianism
Mood
anxious
critical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- education reform
- artistic expression
- political activism
- mental health
- censorship
Key Concepts
totalitarianism
psychology
creativity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does limiting imagination affect society?
- Can creativity survive under strict regimes?