Every island to a child is a treasure island.
P. D. JamesRead
People were excited by violence. What, after all, was the sexual act but a voluntarily endured assault, a momentary death?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores the intertwining of violence and sexual desire, suggesting both are intense experiences that provoke profound emotions.
P. D. James's provocative statement suggests that human excitement often stems from violence, drawing a parallel to the sexual act, which she metaphorically describes as a willingly confronted form of assault. This invitation to examine the complex relationship between violence and desire challenges conventional perceptions, compelling us to reflect on the darker aspects of human nature and the intensity of our emotional experiences.
Themes
ViolenceSexualityIntensityHuman NatureEmotion
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the psychology of violence and its portrayal in media.
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All quotes →If from infancy you treat children as gods, they are liable in adulthood to act as devils.
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I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism.
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What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give.
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Open your mind to new experiences, particularly to the study of other people. Nothing that happens to a writer – however happy, however tragic – is ever wasted.
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It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.
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