Fear is a strange soil. It grows obedience like corn, which grow in straight lines to make weeding easier. But sometimes it grows the potatoes of defiance, which flourish underground.

Summary

This quote highlights the paradoxical nature of fear and how it can produce both obedience and defiance. Fear, like soil, creates a systematic environment where obedience thrives as it is easier to manage and control. However, fear also has the potential to ignite a hidden spirit of defiance, symbolized by the growing potatoes underground. These acts of disobedience may go unnoticed at first, but they have the power to emerge unexpectedly, challenging and destabilizing the status quo. Ultimately, the quote suggests that fear can cultivate both submission and rebellion, depending on the circumstances and the individuals involved.

Topics