Air Quote by Sebastian Faulks
“As he rounded the corner, he saw two dozen men, naked to the waist, digging a hole thirty yards square at the side of the path. For a moment he was baffled. It seemed to have no agricultural purpose; there was no more planting or ploughing to be done. Then he realized what it was. They were digging a mass grave. He thought of shouting an order to about turn or at least to avert their eyes, but they were almost on it, and some of them had already seen their burial place. The songs died on their lips and the air was reclaimed by the birds.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Last Kingdom, 2004
A scene reveals soldiers digging a mass grave, highlighting the horror of war and its dehumanizing effects.
In simple terms: War shows brutal reality of mass graves.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront atrocities.
Themes
war
humanity
morality
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- historical study
- human rights advocacy
- education about genocide
Key Concepts
dehumanization
memory
trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do observers have?
- How can societies prevent such horrors?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize suffering without offering solutions.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)