The Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, is seen as the beginning of modern depravity.
Umberto EcoRead
In the Middle Ages, cathendrals and convents burned like tinder; imagining a medieval story without a fire is like imagining a World War II movie in the Pacific without a fighter plane shot down in flames.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the prevalence and impact of destruction in historical narratives, particularly through fire.
Umberto Eco uses a vivid comparison to illustrate how fire has been a prominent element in the narratives of the Middle Ages and World War II. He argues that just as one cannot envision a medieval story without the dramatic imagery of burning cathedrals, one cannot imagine the stories of World War II in the Pacific without the iconic scenes of fighter planes being shot down in flames, indicating the pervasive theme of destruction in historical storytelling.
Themes
HistoryFireWarDestructionNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a historical discussion to highlight the role of destruction in shaping narratives.
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The lunatic is all idée fixe, and whatever he comes across confirms his lunacy. You can tell him by the liberties he takes with common sense, by his flashes of inspiration, and by the fact that sooner or later he brings up the Templars.
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