Acceptability Quote by Ali Smith
““She was living in a time when historically it was permissible to smile like that above the face of someone who had died a violent death.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “How to Be Both” by Ali Smith, 2014
The line reflects on a past era when it was socially acceptable to smile at the corpse of someone killed violently, highlighting a dissonance between grief and societal norms.
In simple terms: People once smiled at dead victims, showing a clash of grief and social expectations.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how cultural norms shape our responses to tragedy.
Themes
grief
societal norms
historical context
empathy
morality
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- literary discussion
- media commentary
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
cultural relativism
social critique
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern societies express grief differently?
- What norms allow inappropriate reactions to tragedy?
A Different Perspective
Such attitudes may desensitize societies to violence, perpetuating indifference.
