--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The problem, dear professor, is that you…" description: "\"“The problem, dear professor, is that you wanted someone who could be made intelligent but still be kept in a cage and displayed when necessary to reap..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cf/daniel-keyes-3679_professor_the-problem-dear-professor-is-that-you-w_1114561.png" --- # The problem, dear professor, is that you wanted someone… ![“The problem, dear professor, is that you wanted someone who could be made intelligent but still be kept in a cage and displayed when necessary to reap the honors you seek. The hitch is that I'm a person.” quote by Daniel Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cf/daniel-keyes-3679_professor_the-problem-dear-professor-is-that-you-w_1114561.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cf/daniel-keyes-3679_professor_the-problem-dear-professor-is-that-you-w_1114561.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7cf/daniel-keyes-3679_professor_the-problem-dear-professor-is-that-you-w_1114561.png) > ““The problem, dear professor, is that you wanted someone who could be made intelligent but still be kept in a cage and displayed when necessary to reap the honors you seek. The hitch is that I'm a person.”” [Daniel Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-keyes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The desire for intelligence and freedom clashes with being treated as a controlled exhibit. **In simple terms:** Freedom vs. control. Key Takeaway Seek autonomy, not display. Themes freedom intelligence control humanity Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - workplace dynamics - academic research - personal relationships Key Concepts ethical philosophy human rights Questions to Reflect On - How do you resist being objectified? - What does true autonomy look like? A Different Perspective Power structures limit freedom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers/) ## Related quotes > [“How did you know it was me?” she asked. “My dear Professor, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.” “You’d be stiff if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/how-did-you-know-it-was-me-she-asked-my-dear-professor-i-ve-never/) [J.K. 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This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-keyes/intelligence-is-one-of-the-greatest-human-gifts-but-all-too-often-a/) [Daniel Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-keyes/) [Explore all 122 Daniel Keyes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-keyes/) ## More Professor quotes > [“Every professor worth his PhD should have a fireplace in his study.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/every-professor-worth-his-phd-should-have-a-fireplace-in-his-study/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [If the professor doesn't show up to class in the first 15 minutes, you get to leave. 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