Wild, dark times are rumbling toward us, and the prophet who wishes to write a new apocalypse will have to invent entirely new beasts, and beasts so terrible that the ancient animal symbols of St. John will seem like cooing doves and cupids in comparison.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Dark times are approaching, and a new prophet will need to invent terrifying new symbols, making old apocalyptic images seem gentle.
- In plain terms
- Future crises will need new, frightening symbols.
- What can you take from it?
- Cultural symbols evolve with the severity of the times.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What new symbols might emerge today?
- How do symbols shape public perception of crises?
Another view
The metaphor may be hyperbolic and not predictive.
More from Heinrich Heine
If one has no heart, one cannot write for the masses.
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