"It's easy for me to go back to being a kid. You know how kids can be like savages before they get civilized? There's that sadist quality. Y'know, like boys who like to pick apart an insect for the sake of it"

Helena Bonham Carter's quote looks into the duality and intricacy of human nature, especially the transition from youth innocence to social civility. When she mentions, "It's easy for me to go back to being a kid", she alludes to the concept that intrinsic, possibly primitive, aspects of our personality often linger simply below the surface area, available and familiar. This concept talks to the enduring qualities of childhood that stay within us, despite the layers of socialization we build up as we grow.

The statement "You understand how kids can be like savages before they get civilized?" suggests that kids, in their most unrefined state, can show behaviors that are raw and unfiltered. This is not to say that kids are naturally harsh, however rather that their understanding of social standards and compassion is still developing. The term "savages" here is likely used metaphorically to describe a lack of social polish rather than ethical deficiency.

Carter's comparison to "kids who like to select apart a pest for the sake of it" serves as an illustration of this raw interest that is typically lacking empathy or consideration of effects. There is a vicious element she determines in this curiosity-- a fascination with dismantling and comprehending the world in such a way that can be viewed as terrible. This habits signifies a stage in advancement where empathy has yet to completely form, and actions are driven by a pure, if extreme, desire to explore and comprehend the world without the moral framework that adults typically follow.

Ultimately, her reflection hints at a sense of nostalgia and a tip of the instinctual elements of human nature that are typically controlled by the process of ending up being "civilized". This quote, therefore, welcomes contemplation on the thin veneer of social norms that overlay ingrained instincts and the inherent complexity of human behavior from youth to adulthood.