We relinquished our freedom that day, and we were more than happy to see it go. From that moment on we lived in true freedom, the freedom to point to someone else and say They told me to do it! It's their fault, not mine. The freedom, God help us, to say I was only following orders.-World War Z
The quote reflects a pivotal moment in which individuals willingly surrender their autonomy, finding solace in the idea of relinquishing responsibility. This shift signifies a departure from personal accountability, where people find comfort in attributing their actions to external influences. It suggests that in times of crisis, the burden of choice becomes too heavy, leading to a collective surrender of freedom.
This new form of freedom, however, comes with a moral cost. The characters in the narrative reveal a troubling ease in placing blame on others, essentially using obedience to justify their actions, regardless of the implications. This dynamic raises questions about the nature of freedom and the willingness of individuals to accept moral responsibility in dire situations.