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Adore Quote by Jeanette Winterson

“One of the many, many things I hate about war is how it trivializes the personal. The big themes, the broad sweep, the emergency measures, the national identity, all the things that a particular kind of man with a particular kind of power urge adores, these are the things that become important…” quote by Jeanette Winterson
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“One of the many, many things I hate about war is how it trivializes the personal. The big themes, the broad sweep, the emergency measures, the national identity, all the things that a particular kind of man with a particular kind of power urge adores, these are the things that become important. War gives the lie to the personal, drowns it in meetings, alarms, sacrifices. The personal is only allowed to return as death.”

Jeanette Winterson

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Passion, Jeanette Winterson, 1987

War reduces individuals to statistics, drowning personal stories in collective narratives and sacrifice.

In simple terms: War erases personal voices.

Key Takeaway

Remember individual humanity in conflict.

Themes

war personal narrative dehumanization

Mood

somber empathetic

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • military service
  • refugee experience
  • journalism

Key Concepts

collective memory individual sacrifice

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we honor personal stories amid war?
  • What can individuals do to preserve personal truth?
A Different Perspective

Nationalist rhetoric can glorify conflict.

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