It is only in a crowd that man can become free of this fear of being touched. That is the only situation in which the fear changes into its opposite. The crowd he needs is the dense crowd, in which body is pressed to body; a crowd, too, whose psychical constitution is also dense, or compact, so that he no longer notices who it is that presses against him. As soon as a man has surrendered himself to the crowd, he ceases to fear its touch. Ideally, all are equal there; no distinctions count. Not even that of sex. The man pressed against him is the same as himself He feels him as he feels himself. Suddenly it is as though everything were happening in one and the same body.
What’s the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote sheds light on the concept of freedom in the context of crowds. It suggests that being in a dense crowd, where bodies are pressed against each other, can create a sense of freedom from the fear of being touched. It implies that in a crowded situation, individual distinctions, such as social status or gender, become less relevant, and there is a sense of unity or oneness among the crowd. It underscores the idea that being part of a crowd can provide a sense of liberation from personal fears or insecurities, creating a feeling of anonymity and equality among the masses.
Who said the quote?
The quote “It is only in a crowd that man can become free of this fear of being touched. That is the only situation in which the fear changes into its opposite. The crowd he needs is the dense crowd, in which body is pressed to body; a crowd, too, whose psychical constitution is also dense, or compact, so that he no longer notices who it is that presses against him. As soon as a man has surrendered himself to the crowd, he ceases to fear its touch. Ideally, all are equal there; no distinctions count. Not even that of sex. The man pressed against him is the same as himself He feels him as he feels himself. Suddenly it is as though everything were happening in one and the same body.” was said in the book Crowds and Power (Summary) by Elias Canetti. Elias Canetti was a Bulgarian-born writer and Nobel laureate whose work explored themes of power, identity, and the human condition.
* The editor of this interpretation made every effort to maintain information accuracy. This includes the source and any key ideas or meanings conveyed in it.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an impact-driven creator at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 life goals around the globe. Tal's journey and recent book, The Art of Fully Living, inspired him to found Elevate Society.
