America Quote by Margaret Atwood
““She writes like an angel, it says of Laura on the back of one of the editions of The Blind Assassin. An American edition, as I recall, with gold scrollwork on the cover: they set a lot of store by angels in those parts. In point of fact angels don't write much. They record sins and the names of the dammed and the saved, or they appear as disembodied hands and scribble warnings on walls. Or they deliver messages, few of which are good news: God be with you is not an unmixed blessing.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, 2000
The quote juxtaposes the lofty image of angels with their grim role as recorders of sin, suggesting that divine messengers are not always benevolent.
In simple terms: Angels are portrayed as recorders of sin rather than pure benefactors.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that authority may have hidden motives.
Themes
myth
writing
divine
morality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading literature
- analyzing symbolism
- discussing faith
- examining narrative voice
Key Concepts
theology
symbolism
literary critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view of angels affect your perception of authority?
- Can divine symbolism be both comforting and unsettling?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overgeneralize religious concepts, ignoring diverse beliefs.
![“I don't want somebody who writes like me [in my writing staff]. Because I can write like me. I know what I'm capable of and what my limitations are. If you're going to build an orchestra, you don't want all tubas - you want a violin and you want a cello and you want a drum set.” quote by Tom Fontana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7e/tom-fontana-87560_because-i-can_i-don-t-want-somebody-who-writes-like-me_421933.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
