You do not become a dissident just because you decide one day to take up this most unusual career. You are thrown into it by your personal sense of responsibility, combined with a complex set of external circumstances. You are cast out of the existing structures and placed in a position of conflict with them. It begins as an attempt to do your work well, and ends with being branded an enemy of society.

Summary

This quote highlights that becoming a dissident is not a deliberate choice, but rather a result of one's personal sense of duty and the external circumstances they face. It suggests that dissidents are not seeking conflict with established structures, but rather find themselves in opposition to them while striving to fulfill their responsibilities. As they work diligently in pursuit of their mission, society perceives them as enemies, ultimately branding them as such. The quote emphasizes the involuntary nature of dissent and the consequences it entails.

Topics