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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker asks a crowd for judgment, receiving a unanimous guilty verdict, and repeats the plea for the blackbird.
In plain terms
Ask the crowd what they think; they say guilty, so help the bird.
What can you take from it?
Public opinion can quickly condemn, but advocacy remains necessary.

Where it applies

  • public trials
  • social pressure
  • seeking consensus

Putting it to work

  • questioning groupthink
  • continuing to advocate

Questions to consider

  • Why does the crowd decide so quickly?
  • What happens to the blackbird?

Another view

The guilt is declared without context or defense.

More from Kate Bush

  1. I question your innocence! Help this blackbird! She's a witch! There's a stone around my leg.

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  2. 'Get out of the waves! Get out of the water!'

    Permalink to quote #149

  3. 'Don't you know you've kept him waiting?' 'Look who's here to see you!'

    Permalink to quote #146

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