--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Impelled by feelings that were primal yet…" description: "\"Impelled by feelings that were primal yet paradoxically wholly impersonal. Feelings of contempt born of inchoate, unacknowledged fear--civilization's f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/arundhati-roy-346_born_impelled-by-feelings-that-were-primal-ye_2687040.png" --- # Impelled by feelings that were primal yet paradoxically… ![“Impelled by feelings that were primal yet paradoxically wholly impersonal. Feelings of contempt born of inchoate, unacknowledged fear--civilization's fear of nature, men's fear of women, power's fear of powerlessness. Man's subliminal urge to destroy what he could neither subdue nor deify.” quote by Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/arundhati-roy-346_born_impelled-by-feelings-that-were-primal-ye_2687040.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/arundhati-roy-346_born_impelled-by-feelings-that-were-primal-ye_2687040.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/arundhati-roy-346_born_impelled-by-feelings-that-were-primal-ye_2687040.png) > “Impelled by feelings that were primal yet paradoxically wholly impersonal. Feelings of contempt born of inchoate, unacknowledged fear--civilization's fear of nature, men's fear of women, power's fear of powerlessness. Man's subliminal urge to destroy what he could neither subdue nor deify.” [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Primal emotions can be paradoxically detached, revealing deep fears about nature, gender, and power that drive destructive impulses. **In simple terms:** Hidden fears fuel destructive urges. Key Takeaway Recognize and confront underlying fears. Themes psychology power gender environment Mood critical provocative Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - activism - personal reflection - policy making Key Concepts subconscious drives paradox social critique Questions to Reflect On - What unacknowledged fears shape your actions? - How can societies address collective fear of nature? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Powerlessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerlessness/) [Women power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-power/) ## Related quotes > [“The twins were too young to know that these were only history’s henchmen. 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