Death Quote by Franz Kafka
““When the little mouse, which was loved as none other was in the mouse-world, got into a trap one night and with a shrill scream forfeited its life for the sight of the bacon, all the mice in the district, in their holes were overcome by trembling and shaking; with eyes blinking uncontrollably they gazed at each other one by one, while their tails scraped the ground busily and senselessly. Then they came out, hesitantly, pushing one another, all drawn towards the scene of death. There it lay, the dear little mouse, its neck caught in the deadly iron, the little pink legs drawn up, and now stiff the feeble body that would so well have deserved a scrap of bacon. The parents stood beside it and eyed their child's remains.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Mouse” in Unpublished Manuscript, 1912
A mouse’s sacrifice for bacon triggers collective terror among its peers, illustrating how a single tragedy can spread panic and grief through a community.
In simple terms: One event can cause widespread fear and sorrow among many.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how shared trauma spreads and respond with compassion.
Themes
fear
community
trauma
collective grief
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
narrative
allegorical
When to use this quote
- emergency response
- counseling
- community support groups
Key Concepts
psychology
social contagion
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers collective fear in your community?
- How can you help others cope with shared loss?
A Different Perspective
The story’s animal allegory may not map directly to human experiences.
![“The tremendous world I have inside my head. But how [to] free myself and free it without being torn to pieces. And a thousand times [I'd] rather be torn to pieces than rather it in me or bury it. That, indeed, is why I am here, that is quite clear to me.” quote by Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f19/franz-kafka-214_freedom_the-tremendous-world-i-have-inside-my-he_5848.jpg)
