Baskets Quote by Naomi Novik
“Next you will cry about taxation without representation, and throw a basket of tea into the harbor. You are indeed a very Jacobin at heart, and I think I must give up trying to cure you of it; I can but wash my hands and deny responsibility”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 2019
The writer humorously accuses a revolutionary spirit of being irredeemable, yet offers a polite disengagement.
In simple terms: A radical mind is hard to change; best to step back.
Key Takeaway
Accept differing political passions without trying to fix them.
Themes
politics
radicalism
humor
Mood
wry
ironic
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debates
- activist meetings
- online forums
Key Concepts
revolution
personal boundaries
historical analogy
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to disengage?
- How can you maintain dialogue despite differences?
A Different Perspective
Might dismiss genuine concerns; could be seen as dismissive.
![“When children ask me what's my favorite [role], I say to them, "Imagine having ten beautiful new puppies in a basket and you had to say which one is your favorite, and you simply couldn't because you love them all for different reasons." POPPINS was such a learning experience, as was THE SOUND OF…” quote by Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b41/julie-andrews-1387_ask-me_when-children-ask-me-what-s-my-favorite_135481.jpg)
