Poor Quote by Norman Mailer
““I tell you, say the rich, the poor are naught but dirty wind welling in air-shafts over the cinders and droppings of the past, their voices thick with grease and ordure, sewer-greed to corrode the ear with the horrors of the past and the voids of new stupidity. One could drown waiting for the poor to make one fine distinction. Yes, destroy us say the rich and you lose the roots of God.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Executioner's Song, 1979
The rich dehumanize the poor, seeing them as filthy, corrupt forces that threaten societal order.
In simple terms: The rich view the poor as dirty, dangerous.
Key Takeaway
Challenge class stereotypes and seek empathy.
Themes
class conflict
dehumanization
power dynamics
Mood
angry
critical
Type
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- community activism
- media representation
Key Concepts
sociology
political critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we bridge class divides?
- What responsibilities do the privileged have?
A Different Perspective
The view is one‑sided and ignores systemic causes.
