A handful of works in history have had a direct impact on social policy: one or two works of Dickens, some of Zola, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and, in modern drama, Larry Kramer's 'The Normal Heart.'
Tony KushnerRead
In this world, there is a kind of painful progress. Longing for what we've left behind, and dreaming ahead.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the bittersweet nature of progress, where we feel nostalgia for the past while also yearning for the future.
Tony Kushner's quote captures the duality of human experience in relation to progress. It suggests that as we move forward in life, we often experience pain due to the things we leave behind, such as relationships, memories, or familiar places, while simultaneously harboring dreams and aspirations for what lies ahead. This tension between nostalgia and hope illustrates the complexities of growth and change in our lives.
Themes
ProgressNostalgiaDreamsChangeGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech emphasizing the importance of growth and change.
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