Brotherhood Quote by William Kennedy
““They were both questing for the behavior that was proper to their station and their unutterable dreams. They both knew intimately the etiquette, the taboos, the protocol of bums. By their talk to each other they understood that they shared a belief in the brotherhood of the desolate; yet in the scars of their eyes they confirmed that no such fraternity had ever existed, that the only brotherhood they belonged to was the one that asked the 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
Source Novel: Ironweed by William Kennedy, 1983
Characters grapple with societal expectations and personal dreams, confronting isolation while seeking fleeting moments of connection and survival.
In simple terms: People struggle between duty and desire, seeking brief relief.
Key Takeaway
Find meaning in small, shared moments.
Themes
isolation
dreams
survival
brotherhood
identity
Mood
melancholic
reflective
hopeful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- street life
- job stress
- personal crisis
- temporary alliances
Key Concepts
existentialism
social critique
human connection
Questions to Reflect On
- What small act can you share with someone feeling isolated?
- How do societal expectations shape personal dreams?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes hardship, overlooking systemic causes of poverty.
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