Southern-gothic Quote by Michael McDowell
““Southerners are an easygoing race when it comes to aberrations of conduct. They will react with anger if something out of the ordinary is presented as a possible future occurrence; but if an unusual circumstance is discovered to be an established fact, they will usually accept it without rancor or judgment as part of the normal order of things. To have informed the men who hung about the seed and feed stores that two women had bought Gavin Pond and were turning it into the biggest farm in the county would have brought out calls to repeal the voting rights amendment; but when confronted with Grace, the men were perfectly willing to accept her, her cousin Lucille, and Lucille's little boy.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Amulet” by Michael McDowell, 1991
People may resist imagined threats but accept proven realities, showing flexibility in social judgment.
In simple terms: People resist ideas but accept facts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how evidence changes opinions.
Themes
social dynamics
acceptance
bias
change
community
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
observational
commentary
When to use this quote
- political debates
- community decisions
- media influence
- policy changes
Key Concepts
cognitive flexibility
social conformity
group behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How does evidence shift public opinion?
- What biases affect acceptance of new facts?
A Different Perspective
People may still cling to prejudice despite facts.
