Bombs Quote by Don DeLillo
“There's a curious knot that binds novelists and terrorists...Years ago I used to think it was possible for a novelist to alter the inner life of the culture. Now bomb-makers and gunmen have taken that territory. They make raids on human consciousness. What writers used to do before we were all incorporated.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: White Noise, 1985
The quote contrasts the power of literature to shape cultural consciousness with violent acts that now seize that influence.
In simple terms: Writers once shaped minds; now violence does.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the impact of both words and actions on society.
Themes
culture
violence
media
influence
authoritarianism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
somber
Type
analytical
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- Literary criticism
- media analysis
- political activism
- education
- public policy
Key Concepts
Narrative power
psychology
political terror
Questions to Reflect On
- How does violence alter collective thought?
- Can literature still affect change?
A Different Perspective
Violent acts may not fully replace nuanced cultural change.
![“Plot a murder, you're saying. But every plot is a murder in effect. To plot is to die, whether we know it or not. [...] To plot, to take aim at something, to shape time and space. This is how we advance the art of human consciousness. (WN 291-2)” quote by Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/713/don-delillo-294_human-consciousness_plot-a-murder-you-re-saying-but-every-pl_3098490.jpg)
![“No wonder that Churchill described this effort [the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than the buzz bombs and the rockets that Werner von Braun designed for a German victory, a weapon absolutely decisive, in the judgement of…” quote by Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c3/peter-hilton-61015_allies_no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this_4600.jpg)
