American dream Quote by Ernest Hemingway
““Some made the long drop from the apartment or the office window; some took it quietly in two-car garages with the motor running; some used the native tradition of the Colt or Smith and Wesson; those well-constructed implements that end insomnia, terminate remorse, cure cancer, avoid bankruptcy, and blast an exit from intolerable positions by the pressure of a finger; those admirable American instruments so easily carried, so sure of effect, so well designed to end the American dream when it becomes a nightmare, their only drawback the mess they leave for relatives to clean up.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Reflections on American suicide methods, 1950
Describes various means of suicide, portraying them as efficient tools that end suffering but leave chaos behind.
In simple terms: Suicide is portrayed as a quick escape with harmful fallout.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the profound impact of mental health crises and seek help.
Themes
mental health
despair
death
societal impact
Mood
grave
urgent
Type
ethical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- counseling services
- community support
- crisis hotlines
- preventive education
Key Concepts
psychology
ethics
public health
Questions to Reflect On
- What societal factors drive people to such extremes?
- How can communities better support those in crisis?
A Different Perspective
The graphic description may romanticize death, overlooking prevention and support.
