"That vision of a common culture is now simply a remote wistfulness"
- Dennis Potter
About this Quote
In this quote, Dennis Potter is expressing a sense of yearning for a shared culture that once existed but is now out of reach. The use of the word "remote" recommends that this vision is far-off and unattainable. The word "wistfulness" conveys a feeling of sadness or regret, indicating that the loss of this common culture is something to be mourned. This quote could be analyzed as a commentary on the fragmentation of society and the erosion of shared values and traditions. It also highlights the nostalgia for an easier time when people were more connected and united by a typical culture. In general, Potter's words stimulate a sense of yearning for a lost sense of community and belonging.
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"Of course as children, we all, in all cultures and societies, learn behavior from observation, imitation, and encouragement of various kinds. So by the suggestion made, we all 'pretend' most of the time"
"Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future"
