Assassination Quote by Neal Shusterman
““If someone had told Allie that she would commit a premeditated act of murder, she would not have believed it. She would have spouted off all the reasons how she could never be capable of such a thing—that no matter how dire the circumstances, she would find a better way. She was so naive, so arrogant to think that the laws of necessity and unthinkable circumstance could not apply to her. She could tell herself that this was an act of mercy, but that would be a lie. This was an act of war. An act of terrorism. It was nothing less than an assassination. If I do this, Allie told herself, I am no better than Mary. I will have sunk to the worst possible place a person can go. After this moment, I will be a cold-blooded killer and it can never be taken back. So the question was, did Allie Johnson have the strength to sacrifice all that was left of her innocence if it meant she might save the world?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Darkest Minds, Neal Shusterman, 2012
Allie confronts the moral dilemma of committing murder for a perceived greater good, questioning whether innocence can survive such a choice.
In simple terms: She wonders if she can sacrifice her innocence to save the world.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of sacrificing innocence for a cause.
Themes
morality
identity
consequences
heroism
Mood
conflicted
tense
reflective
Type
philosophical
dramatic
When to use this quote
- war decision
- terrorism
- personal sacrifice
- heroic choice
Key Concepts
ethical dilemma
psychology
utilitarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can one truly remain innocent after a violent act?
- What defines a just cause?
A Different Perspective
The scenario assumes a clear moral outcome, ignoring ambiguity of real-world outcomes.
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