Skeletons Quote by Ray Bradbury
““I don't mind skulls and bones," said Marie. "There's nothing even vaguely human to them. I'm not scared of skulls and hones. They're like something insectile. If a child was raised and didn't know he had a skeleton in him, he wouldn't think anything of hones, would he? That's how it is with me. Everything human has been scraped off these. There's nothing familiar left to be horrible. In order for a thing to be horrible it has to suffer a change you can recognize. This isn't changed. They're still skeletons, like they always were. The part that changed is gone, and so there's nothing to show for it. Isn't that interesting?" Joseph nodded. She was quite brave now. "Well," she said, "let's see the mummies.””
About This Quote
Source short story: “The Illustrated Man” by Ray Bradbury, 1951
The narrator describes a detached, skeletal view of humanity, suggesting that without recognizable humanity, horror loses meaning.
In simple terms: Seeing humanity as mere skeletons removes familiar horror.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the humanity in others.
Themes
existential
identity
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
dark
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art critique
- mental health
- ethical debates
- creative writing
Key Concepts
nihilism
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be human?
- Can horror exist without empathy?
A Different Perspective
Such a view may lead to emotional numbness.
