“He was bookish, she was not; he was theoretical, she political. She called a rose a rose. He called it an accumulation of cultural and biological constructions circulating around the mutually attracting binary poles of nature/artifice.”
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Analysis
In this quote by Zadie Smith, the stark differences in personalities between two individuals are highlighted. The contrast between being "bookish" and "theoretical" versus being "political" and calling things as they are is emphasized. The quote delves into the definitions and perceptions of simple concepts like a rose, illustrating the varying perspectives that can exist within individuals. One sees the rose for its natural beauty, while the other deconstructs it into a complex web of societal and scientific influences. This contrast in perspectives can be seen as a reflection of the diversity of thoughts and interpretations that exist within society.
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