Books Quote by Stephen King
““so here he sits one drunk nigger in a puclic libary after closing, with the book open in front of me and the bottle of Old Kentucky on my left. 'Tell the truth and shame the devil,' my mom used to say , but she forgot to tell me that sometimes you can't shame Mr Splitfoot sober. The Irish know, but of course they're God's white niggers and who knows maybe they're a step ahead.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: Unpublished manuscript, date unknown
The narrator describes a drunken, marginalized figure in a library, mixing racial slurs, personal reflections, and references to moral sayings, revealing complex social and personal tensions.
In simple terms: A drunk person in a library reflects on race, morality, and personal struggles.
Key Takeaway
Recognize harmful language and seek empathy.
Themes
racism
addiction
morality
social marginalization
Mood
conflicted
critical
somber
Type
social
psychological
literary
When to use this quote
- library setting
- personal crisis
- family influence
- social commentary
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
identity
stigma
redemption
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape our perception of others?
- What steps can we take to confront personal and societal prejudice?
A Different Perspective
The use of offensive slurs undermines the message and can alienate readers.
