Books Quote by J.G. Farrell
““For a day or two Fleury became quite active. He had his book about the advance of civilization in India to consider and this was one reason why he had taken an interest in the behaviour of the Collector. He asked a great number of questions and even bought a notebook to record pertinent information. "Why, if the Indian people are happier under our rule," he asked a Treasury official, "do they not emigrate from those native states like Hyderabad which are so dreadfully misgoverned and come and live in British India?" "The apathy of the native is well known," replied the official stiffly. "He is not enterprising." Fleury wrote down "apathy" in a flowery hand and then, after a moment's hesitation, added "not enterprising".””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell, 1973
Fleury questions why people under oppressive rule do not leave, attributing it to apathy and lack of enterprise, reflecting colonial assumptions about native peoples.
In simple terms: He wonders why people stay under bad rule, blaming laziness.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about native motivation.
Themes
colonialism
human behavior
political theory
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
literary
historical
political
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- political science
- anthropology
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
apathy
enterprise
migration
colonial mindset
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors truly keep people in oppressive societies?
- How do power dynamics shape narratives of apathy?
A Different Perspective
Assumes lack of desire rather than structural constraints.
