Apathy Quote by R.F. Kuang
““It's disgusting," Letty said. "Can you believe - I mean, a Babel graduate, and they just act like he was never here?" Her distress belied a deeper terror, a terror which Robin felt as well, which was that Anthony had been expendable. That they were all expendable. That this tower - this place where they had for the first time found belonging - treasured and loved them when they were alive and useful but didn't, in fact, care about them at all. That they were, in the end, only vessels for the languages they spoke. No one said that out loud. It came too close to breaking the spell.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Poppy War", 2018
Characters feel expendable in a system that values them only for utility, revealing deep existential terror.
In simple terms: People feel used for their skills.
Key Takeaway
Recognize intrinsic worth.
Themes
exploitation
existential dread
systemic oppression
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace dynamics
- military service
- immigrant experiences
Key Concepts
psychology
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you felt expendable?
- How can you assert your humanity?
A Different Perspective
Systemic change is hard to achieve.
