Flesh Lifted Quote by Scott C. Johnson
““Apparently, we flew. We were lifted high, flung about like a tetherball; five tons of metal and steel, and another half-ton of human flesh, lifted up more than a yard—60 inches high—to the height of my throat; lifted as if by God’s hand, shot up from underneath, or within, a pop of the weasel, straight into the palm of the Lord.””
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, 2004, War Correspondence
A vivid, metaphorical description of a violent explosion, likening it to divine intervention and animal imagery to convey shock.
In simple terms: The explosion felt like being lifted by a powerful, almost god‑like force.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the intense, chaotic nature of conflict.
Themes
war
violence
shock
metaphor
human experience
Mood
somber
intense
Type
journalistic
descriptive
When to use this quote
- combat zones
- first‑hand reporting
- emergency response
- civilian narratives
- historical documentation
Key Concepts
trauma
sensory perception
psychological impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How does metaphor shape our perception of war?
- What responsibilities do journalists have in describing violence?
A Different Perspective
Such graphic language may desensitize or sensationalize suffering.
![“What [my father] didn’t say, but what was understood, was that he needed me to lie for him from then on, and lie like a professional. I had license to dissimulate, fabricate, invent, cover-up, and deceive if necessary. There was a greater good.” quote by Scott C. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/745/scott-c-johnson-68627_fabricate_what-my-father-didn-t-say-but-what-was-u_281295.jpg)
