Maggie, we're through with lies and liars in this house. Lock the door.
Tennessee WilliamsRead
The most dangerous word in any human tongue is the word for brother. It's inflammatory.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The word 'brother' can incite strong emotions and conflicts among people, highlighting the complexities of familial and societal bonds.
Tennessee Williams suggests that the term 'brother' carries a significant emotional weight that can lead to intense disagreements and disputes. This highlights how familial ties and the concept of kinship, while often seen as positive, can also provoke deep-seated conflicts, particularly when coupled with issues of loyalty, expectation, and rivalry. The quote reflects on the paradox of close relationships – they can be both nurturing and perilous.
Themes
BrotherRelationshipsConflictEmotionsFamily
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about family dynamics, one might refer to this quote to illustrate the potential for conflict within close relationships.
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The rest of my days I'm going to spend on the sea. And when I die, I'm going to die on the sea. You know what I shall die of? I shall die of eating an unwashed grape. One day out on the ocean I will die — with my hand in the hand of some nice-looking ship's doctor, a very young one with a small blond moustache and a big silver watch.
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Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.
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