Electrical engineering Quote by Tom Perrotta
““us, Will had invited his camp counselor buddy, Dylan, and Dylan had brought along his roommate, this annoying kid named Sanjay. I mean, it wasn’t like there was anything wrong with Sanjay, and no, I’m not prejudiced against Indian people or anyone else. It was just awkward. The rest of us were jocks and hard partiers, and Sanjay was a skinny nerd who looked like he was about twelve years old. And that’s fine, you know? Go ahead and be a nerd if that’s what makes you happy. Go design your app or whatever. Just don’t ask me to give a shit. “Sanjay’s in the Honors College,” Dylan informed us. “Majoring in Electrical Engineering. Talk about badass.” I guess you have to give Dylan some credit. He was trying to be a good roommate, doing his best to include Sanjay in the conversation and make him feel comfortable. It was just a waste of time, that’s all. Sanjay wasn’t going to be friends with us, and we weren’t going to be friends with him.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta, 2011
A narrator rationalizes excluding a socially different peer, revealing hidden biases and the discomfort of confronting prejudice.
In simple terms: People often justify ignoring those who seem different.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge your own exclusionary attitudes.
Themes
prejudice
social dynamics
identity
exclusion
Mood
uneasy
reflective
Type
observational
critical.
When to use this quote
- college dorm life
- friendship circles
- team projects
- social events
Key Concepts
bias
in-group/out-group
self‑justification
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you react when someone feels out of place?
- What assumptions do you make about others based on appearance?
A Different Perspective
The narrator’s view may ignore the value of diverse perspectives and personal growth.
