I didn't know I was a zombie pedant until I started considering what from the zombie canon to keep in 'Zone One' and what to ignore.
Colson WhiteheadRead
'Zone One' has one kind of an apocalypse, and 'The Underground Railroad' another. In both cases, the narrators are animated by a hope in a better place of refuge - in the last surviving human outpost, Up North. Does it exist? They can only believe.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on different interpretations of apocalyptic narratives and the hope for a better future despite uncertainty.
In this quote, Colson Whitehead explores the concept of hope amidst despair as showcased in two distinct apocalyptic stories, where the narrators search for a sanctuary in the form of 'Up North.' This notion highlights the human spirit's ability to aspire for a place of refuge and safety, even when faced with dire circumstances, questioning the existence of such hope and belief.
Themes
ApocalypseHopeRefugeNarrativeBelieve
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about literature that explores themes of hope in difficult times.
More from Colson Whitehead
All quotes →I don't generally follow sports. At an early age, I discovered that nature had apportioned me only a small reserve of enthusiasm. Best to ration.
Colson WhiteheadRead
In keeping with my family's affection for doomed product lines and hexed formats, we purchased a Betamax. The year before, we'd bought a TRS-80 instead of an Apple II, and in due course we'd unbox Mattel's Intellivision, instead of Atari's legendary gizmo. This was good training for a writer, for the sooner you accept the fact that you are a deluded idiot who is always out of step with reality the better off you will be.
Colson WhiteheadRead
Access to information, to music or any kind of culture, is getting faster and faster and more streamlined. At each juncture, people are thrown into tumult and have to adapt or die.
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I use New York to talk about home, but the ideas in 'Colossus' could be transferred to other cities. The story about Central Park is really about the first day of spring in any park. The Coney Island chapter is really about beaches and summer and heat waves.
Colson WhiteheadRead
Early on my career, I figured out that I just have to write the book I have to write at that moment. Whatever else is going on in the culture is just not that important. If you could get the culture to write your book, that would be great. But the culture can't write your book.
Colson WhiteheadRead
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