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Caste is about dividing people up in ways that preclude every form of solidarity, because even in the lowest castes, there are divisions and sub-castes, and everyone's co-opted into the business of this hierarchical, silo-ised society.
Arundhati Roy
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote illustrates how caste systems fracture human solidarity by creating divisions among people.

Arundhati Roy's quote critiques the caste system, highlighting how it not only separates individuals into rigid hierarchies but also fosters divisions even within the lowest castes. This fragmentation prevents unified social action and solidarity, trapping individuals in a societal structure that prioritizes hierarchy and division over communal support and cooperation.

Themes

CasteSolidaritySocietyDivisionHierarchy

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a discussion on social equity and justice.

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