“I hate America. I hate this country. It’s just big ideas, and stories, and people dying, and people like you. The white cracker who wrote the national anthem knew what he was doing. He set the word 'free' to a note so high nobody can reach it. That was deliberate. Nothing on earth sounds less like freedom to me. You come to room 1013 over at the hospital, I'll show you America. Terminal, crazy and mean. I live in America, that’s hard enough, I don’t have to love it. You do that. Everybody’s got to love something.”
Analysis of Quote from Tony Kushner
In this quote, playwright Tony Kushner expresses a deep sense of disillusionment and frustration with America. He articulates a strong sense of hatred towards the country, criticizing it for being full of big ideas and stories, but also filled with death and suffering. The reference to the national anthem and its unreachable ideal of freedom highlights Kushner's belief that America fails to live up to its own lofty ideals. He paints a bleak picture of America as a place that is terminal, crazy, and mean, challenging the idea that one must love their country unconditionally. This quote reflects a perspective that questions blind patriotism and calls for a more critical examination of the realities of the United States.
Modern Relevance
In this quote by Tony Kushner, he expresses his deep disdain for America and the complexities of living in a country filled with big ideas and contradictions. These sentiments still hold relevance today as individuals grapple with the idea of patriotism, the reality of America's history, and the ongoing struggle for true freedom and equality.
Example of Usage
The quote provided is from Tony Kushner, and it expresses strong feelings towards America and the idea of freedom. It reflects a deep sense of disillusionment and critique towards the country.
Reflection Questions:
In this powerful quote from Tony Kushner, a playwright known for addressing social and political issues in his work, we see a raw and emotional response to the complexities of America. As you reflect on these words, consider the following questions:
- How does this quote challenge traditional notions of patriotism and love for one's country?
- How does the idea of setting the word "free" to a note that is impossible to reach resonate with you?
- In what ways do you personally experience the complexities and contradictions of living in America?
- How do you reconcile the harsh realities Kushner describes with the idea of loving something, even when it is flawed?
- What does it mean to critically engage with the concept of America, rather than blindly accepting or rejecting it?
Similar quotes
“The white cracker who wrote the National Anthem knew what he was doing. He set the word "free" to a note so high nobody could reach it. That was deliberate.”
“ . . . I have come to revere words like "democracy" and "freedom," the right to vote, the incomprehensibly beautiful origins of my country, and the grandeur of the extraordinary vision of the founding fathers. Do I not see America's flaws? Of course I do. But I now can honor her basic, incorruptible virtues, the ones that let me walk the streets screaming my ass off that my country had no idea what it was doing in South Vietnam. . . . I have come to a conclusion about my country that I knew then in my bones, but lacked the courage to act on: America is a good enough country to die for even when she is wrong.”
“I don't know you well enough to force stuff on you.""You mean, if you knew me better, you'd force stuff on me like everybody else?""It's possible," I said. "That's how people live in the real world: forcing stuff on each other.""You wouldn't do that. I can tell. I'm an expert when it comes to forcing stuff and having stuff forced on you. You're just not that type. That's why I can relax with you. Do you have any idea how many people there are in the world who like to force stuff on people and have stuff forced on them? Tons! And then they make a big fuss, like, 'I forced her,' 'You forced me'! That's what they like. But I don't like it. I just do it 'cause I have to.”
“You mean, if you knew me better, you'd force stuff on me like everybody else?Toru: It's possible," I said. "That's how people live in the real world: forcing stuff on each other.Midori: You wouldn't do that. I can tell. I'm an expert when it comes to forcing stuff and having stuff forced on you. You're just not that type. That's why I can relax with you. Do you have any idea how many people there are in the world who like to force stuff on people and have stuff forced on them? Tons! And then they make a big fuss, like, 'I forced her,' 'You forced me'! That's what they like. But I don't like it. I just do it 'cause I have to.”
“I don’t think I like the idea that you just control me, but you get to do anything you like.”“Ah, but that’s because you don’t understand the power exchange. Note that I used the word exchange. Listen, there are as many different ways to practice BDSM as there are people who practice it. I like to play. I like to know that my lover will turn to me when she needs something. I’ll want to protect you. And I like to give you what you need. It makes me feel good. It makes me feel necessary.”