Dread Quote by Terry Pratchett
“Unseen University had never admitted women, muttering something about problems with the plumbing, but the real reason was an unspoken dread that if women were allowed to mess around with magic they would probably be embarrassingly good at it…”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld – Unseen University, 1990s
The university pretends to exclude women due to trivial reasons, but actually fears their potential magical talent.
In simple terms: Women are excluded because of fear of their competence.
Key Takeaway
Challenge hidden biases in institutions.
Themes
gender bias
education
magic
power dynamics
Mood
ironic
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
satirical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- university admissions
- workplace hiring
- policy making
- cultural narratives
Key Concepts
feminism
institutional fear
hidden prejudice
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden talents might institutions be suppressing?
- How can we recognize and confront covert discrimination?
A Different Perspective
The quote humorously exaggerates fear, but real biases can be subtler and less overt.
