I take my stand behind the human heart, not alongside violence . . . ... Not be right or wrong or good or bad, just be pulling. In a minute the idiots won't even be listening, they'll just be pulling. They don't have to think. Just be afraid naturally and pulling together. Like specks of mercury rolling into the big piece. Like little specks of mercury rolling into bigger specks and then bigger and then just one piece, and nothing to be scared about or hurt about because you're just a piece of a bigger piece getting bigger rolling across the land into an ocean of mercury . . .
In Ken Kesey's "Sometimes a Great Notion," the narrator expresses a deep connection to the human heart, distancing himself from violence. He reflects on the instincts that drive people to unite in fear, suggesting that they act not out of reasoning, but rather out of a primal urge to pull together. This unity creates a powerful force that transcends individual thoughts and morals. The imagery of mercury illustrates this concept, depicting how small fears and instincts can amalgamate into something vast and overwhelming.
This metaphor emphasizes the potential for individuals to dissolve their distinct identities and merge into a larger, collective entity. The narrator suggests that in this union, fear becomes less significant, as people lose their individuality and become part of a greater whole. Such an observation highlights the complex relationship between personal emotions and group dynamics, where the act of coming together can overshadow individual concerns, channeling into a singular, formidable presence. Ultimately, it provokes thought about the human experience and the emotional currents that drive us.
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