Behind closed doors Quote by J.M. Coetzee
““Looking at him I wonder how he felt the very first time: did he, invited as an apprentice to twist the pincers or turn the screw or whatever it is they do, shudder even a little to know that at that instant he was trespassing into the forbidden? I find myself wondering too whether he has a private ritual of purification, carried out behind closed doors, to enable him to return and break bread with other men. Does he wash his hands very carefully, perhaps, or change all his clothes; or has the Bureau created new men who can pass without disquiet between the unclean and the clean?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Master and Margarita? J.M. Coetzee, 1995
The apprentice fears crossing moral boundaries and seeks ritual cleansing to reconcile with society.
In simple terms: Fear of crossing lines leads to secret rituals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront hidden anxieties.
Themes
guilt
ritual
boundary crossing
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace ethics
- religious rites
- personal guilt
- social integration
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden rituals do you perform to feel clean?
- How does fear of transgression shape behavior?
A Different Perspective
Rituals may not truly cleanse; confronting the root cause is needed.
