As we walked back to the car, Johnny said, A tree's one thing, but it's a big deal when you point a gun at someone. Basically, you're giving them permission to kill you.
In Ian McEwan's "Enduring Love," the protagonist reflects on the significant difference between a seemingly benign action, like a tree, and the severe implications of pointing a gun at someone. This moment captures the gravity of threatening another person's life, emphasizing that such an act is a potent signal that can lead to fatal consequences.
The quote highlights the psychological weight of violence and the consent inherent in lethal threats. It suggests that when a gun is drawn, it transforms the situation into one of existential risk, granting a kind of permission for harm that fundamentally alters human interaction and relationships.
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