Hostile Quote by Algernon Blackwood
““Simpson, the student of divinity, it was who arranged his conclusions probably with the best, though not most scientific, appearance of order. Out there, in the heart of unreclaimed wilderness, they had surely witnessed something crudely and essentially primitive. Something that had survived somehow the advance of humanity had emerged terrifically, betraying a scale of life monstrous and immature. He envisaged it rather as a glimpse into prehistoric ages, when superstitions, gigantic and uncouth, still oppressed the hearts of men: when the forces of nature were still untamed, the Powers that may have haunted a primeval universe not yet withdrawn. To this day he thinks of what he termed years later in a sermon 'savage and formidable Potencies lurking behind the souls of men, not evil perhaps in themselves, yet instinctively hostile to humanity as it exists.' ("The Wendigo")””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Wendigo” by Algernon Blackwood, 1910
The passage reflects on humanity’s lingering fear of primal, untamed forces that seem both ancient and threatening, suggesting a deep, instinctual unease toward the unknown.
In simple terms: Human fear of ancient, wild powers that feel hostile.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront deep-seated anxieties.
Themes
fear
primal instincts
nature
humanity
spirituality
Mood
eerie
thoughtful
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- exploring wilderness
- reading classic horror
- psychological analysis
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
primitivism
the uncanny
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What primal fears shape your worldview?
- How do you confront the unknown?
A Different Perspective
The interpretation may overemphasize metaphor, ignoring literal cultural beliefs about the Wendigo.
