It was a good thing to have a couple of thousand people all rigid and frozen together, in the palm of one's hand.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the power of influence and control over a collective group.
In this quote, Charles Dickens illustrates the paradox of having control over a large group of people who, despite being physically present, are emotionally or mentally unresponsive. It critiques the notion of authority and how individuals can sometimes feel a sense of power when they perceive they hold sway over the masses, even when that control is not truly genuine or effective.
In practice
In a speech about leadership, one might use this quote to illustrate the dynamics of power over people.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,β said Miss Pross, in her breathing. βNevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.
The last clear definite function of man β muscles aching to work, minds aching to create beyond the single need β this is man.
Property-owners are the most energetic flag-waggers and patriots in every country, but only so long as they enjoy their possessions: to safeguard those they desert God, King and Country in a twinkling.
The Postmodernists' tyranny wears people down by boredom and semi-literate prose.
It seems an insult to the night to speak of purpose and intent, when this common moment is so brimming full of blessed design tranquility. All things follow their course.
When I was growing up reading history books as a young student, it seemed all wars had a winner. Yet in today's wars, it is increasingly clear that no one wins. Everyone loses.
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