Brotherhood Quote by William Kennedy
““...the only brotherhood they belonged to was the one that asked that enduring question: How do I get through the next twenty minutes? They feared drys, cops, jailers, bosses, moralists, crazies, truth-tellers, and one another. they loved storytellers, liars, whores, fighters, singers, collie dogs that wagged their tails, and generous bandits. Rudy, thought Francis: he's just a bum, but who ain't?””
About This Quote
The passage portrays a chaotic brotherhood where members fear many threats yet cherish diverse, often contradictory, characters and stories.
In simple terms: A chaotic group fears many things but loves varied personalities.
Key Takeaway
Embrace complexity and diverse perspectives.
Themes
brotherhood
conflict
diversity
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- prison life
- gang dynamics
- social groups
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existential dread
human nature
storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fear shape group identity?
- What value do storytellers bring?
A Different Perspective
Such groups can be unstable and self‑destructive.
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