Colt Quote by Miriam Toews
““The guy's name was Colt. Colt, said Thebes. Like a baby, male horse? I guess, said the guy, or a gun. Well, which do you prefer? she said. What do you mean? he asked. Like, how do you prefer to think of yourself? As a baby, male horse? No, he said, he didn't really like to think of himself that way. Well, then, as a gun? she said. No, not really, he said. He preferred basically not to think of himself at all.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: All My Friends Are Superheroes by Miriam Toews, 2019
The speaker resists labeling himself, rejecting both innocent and violent identities, preferring no self-definition.
In simple terms: He avoids defining himself as either a baby horse or a gun.
Key Takeaway
Embrace ambiguity rather than forced labels.
Themes
identity
self‑perception
labels
resistance
freedom
Mood
contemplative
neutral
Type
philosophical
dialogue
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- therapy
- creative writing
- role‑playing
- self‑exploration
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑concept
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does refusing a label reveal about you?
- How might a label help you?
A Different Perspective
Avoiding labels can limit self‑understanding and connection with others.
