Animal Quote by Zadie Smith
“These days, it feels to me like you make a devil's pact when you walk into this country. You hand over your passport at the check-in, you get stamped, you want to make a little money, get yourself started... but you mean to go back! Who would want to stay? Cold, wet, miserable; terrible food, dreadful newspapers - who would want to stay? In a place where you are never welcomed, only tolerated. Just tolerated. Like you are an animal finally house-trained.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Immigrant Experience” in The New Yorker, 2015
Immigrants often feel like outsiders, tolerated but not welcomed, facing harsh conditions and cultural alienation.
In simple terms: Immigrants feel unwelcome and isolated.
Key Takeaway
Seek empathy and inclusive policies.
Themes
migration
alienation
identity
belonging
social justice
Mood
somber
reflective
critical
Type
social
political
When to use this quote
- job search
- housing
- community integration
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
diaspora
cultural displacement
systemic exclusion
Questions to Reflect On
- What can societies do to welcome newcomers?
- How does tolerance differ from acceptance?
A Different Perspective
May generalize immigrant experiences.
