If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Shostakovich declares his unwavering commitment to creating art even under extreme physical coercion or torture.
- In plain terms
- Even if tortured, I will still make music using whatever means available.
- What can you take from it?
- Artistic creation can persist despite severe oppression or physical harm.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What would you create if stripped of all tools?
- How far would you go to express yourself?
Another view
This ignores the possibility of total physical destruction preventing any output.
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