Memorable Quotes from Virginia McKenna
3 quotesThe Dilemma of Taming Wild Animals
Joy Adamson
Elsa, Elsa
George Adamson
Let's try this.
Joy Adamson
all my nightmares had come true.
George Adamson
...she can't make it. she can't think. she can't mix with her own kind... She can't do anything the wild animals do to survive. You've done too good a job on her. You've made her tame. It's too late to try to let her go wild now. All we're doing is making her miserable, torturing her. How could you be so cruel?
Joy Adamson
You keep quiet George.
George Adamson
I don't know what goes on in that head of yours anymore... What's wrong with a zoo, anyway?
Joy Adamson
nothing. Except that she won't be free.
George Adamson
and Is freedom so important?
Joy Adamson
yes, yes, she was born free and she has the right to live free. Why don't we live in a more comfortable setting George? Other people do. We chose to live out here cause it represents freedom for us. Because we can breathe.
George Adamson
Joy, tell me the truth. You just don't want to give her up. What you're really hoping is that she can stay out here, wild, but not too wild. That you can see her every now and then.
Joy Adamson
it's not the whole truth. But I don't deny I'd like it.
George Adamson
it's impossible. It cannot happen.
Joy Adamson
...at least she would be free. At least she wouldn't be in a cage for the rest of her life.
George Adamson
even if she gets herself killed in the process.
Joy Adamson
I'd never forgive myself I suppose. although at one time we were afraid she'd die, Elsa did recover. And when she did, she seemed somehow different.
[stroking Elsa's leg; narrates]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstanding the Nature of the Animal
Mary MacKenzie
I don't think he realizes he's a dog!
[about her dog's devotion to Mij]
Road mender
I-I thought it was just an otter!
[horrified at his mistake]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Class Divides and Expectations of Sacrifice
Duchess of Richmond
They're the salt of England, Arthur.
[referring to the English troops]
Duke of Wellington
Scum. Nothing but beggars and scoundrels, all of them. Gin is the spirit of their patriotism.
Duchess of Richmond
Yet you expect them to die for you?
Duke of Wellington
Um-hum.
Duchess of Richmond
Out of duty?
Duke of Wellington
Um-hum.
Duchess of Richmond
I doubt if even Bonaparte could draw men to him by duty.
Duke of Wellington
Oh, Boney's not a gentleman.
Duchess of Richmond
Arthur! What an Englishman you are.
Duke of Wellington
On the field of battle his hat is worth fifty thousand men; but he is not a gentleman.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.