“He walked upon 'earth that is as unsteady as the sea,' and found the remnants: photographs of children in Warsaw and Vienna; a bit of Ukrainian embroidery a sack of hair, blonde and black.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Timothy Snyder, the author describes a scene where someone is walking on an unstable earth and finding remnants from tragic events. The imagery of walking on earth as unsteady as the sea suggests a sense of unease and insecurity. The remnants mentioned, such as photographs of children in Warsaw and Vienna, a bit of Ukrainian embroidery, and a sack of hair, evoke a strong emotional response as they are linked to historical atrocities and the suffering of innocent people. This quote highlights the profound impact of historical events on individuals and serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring those who have suffered.
Lessons from the past for the present
In this quote by Timothy Snyder, the imagery of war-torn Europe serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of human conflict. The remnants of lives lost in these cities are a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and stability. Today, as conflicts continue to ravage parts of the world, it is important to reflect on the lessons of the past and work towards building a more peaceful and stable future.
Timothy Snyder's Reflection on Unsteady Earth
In this quote, Timothy Snyder reflects on the fragility of life and the remnants left behind by those who have experienced the horrors of war and tragedy. These remnants serve as a poignant reminder of the impact of such events on individuals and communities.
Reflection Questions
In this quote by Timothy Snyder, what do the photographs of children in Warsaw and Vienna symbolize in relation to the unsteady nature of the earth? How does the mention of Ukrainian embroidery and a sack of hair evoke a sense of loss and tragedy? What emotions do these remnants stir up in the reader, and how do they contribute to understanding the historical context of the events being described?
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“A representational photograph says, 'This is what Vienna looked like.' An interpretational photograph goes one better and says, 'This is what Vienna was like. This is how I felt about it.”
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“Blonde hair and black hair are the two poles of human nature. Black hair signifies virility, courage, frankness, activity, whereas blonde hair symbolises femininity, tenderness, weakness, and passivity. Therefore a blonde is in fact doubly a woman. A princess can only be blonde. That's also why, to be as feminine as possible, women dye their hair yellow- but never black""I'm curious about how pigments exercise their influence over the human soul", said Bertlef doubtfully."it's not a matter of pigments. A blonde unconsciously adapts herself to her hair. Especially if the blonde is a brunette who dyes her hair yellow. She tries to be faithful to her hair colour and behaves like a fragile creature, a shallow doll, she demands tenderness and service, courtesy and alimony, she's incapable of doing anything for herself, all refinement on the outside and coarseness on the inside. If black hair became a universal fashion, life on this world would clearly be better. It would be the most useful social reform ever achieved.”
“McGrath smoothed his hair with the flat of his hand. He was silently gazing along the copper colored pathway as though it led to a mystical place where men found answers just lying, uncovered on the warm, soft earth. A place where men knew everything and the blackness of infinity was just a ghost story told to scare children.”