15 quotes
The Nature of Normalcy and Belonging
Italo
A normal man? For me, a normal man is one who turns his head to see a beautiful woman's bottom. The point is not just to turn your head. There are five or six reasons. And he is glad to find people who are like him, his equals. That's why he likes crowded beaches, football, the bar downtown...
Marcello
At Piazza Venice.
Italo
He likes people similar to himself and does not trust those who are different. That's why a normal man is a true brother, a true citizen, a true patriot...
Marcello
A true fascist.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conformity and the Illusion of Safety
Giulia
What are you going to do now?
[after overthrow of Mussolini]
Marcello
The same as everyone else who thought like me. When there are so many of us, there's no risk.
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Desire for Uniqueness Amidst Conformity
Marcello
It's funny, though, you know? Everyone would like to be different from the others, but instead you want to be the same as everyone else.
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Gender Roles in Shopping Dynamics
Giulia
Shopping is only for women. Husbands pay!
[somewhat inebriated]
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Hunchbacks and Good Luck in The Conformist
Giulia
Oh, hunchbacks bring good luck.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Discussion on Illness and Morality
Marcello
You see, the origin of my father's mental illness isn't venereal. That can be medically confirmed.
Giulia's Mother
By the way, my little girl has had the mumps, scarlet fever, and German measles.
Marcello
They're all very moral maladies.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Intolerance and Hatred in a Single Statement
Manganiello
How disgusting! I've always said so. Make me work in the shit - sure, but not with a coward! It's up to me! Cowards, homosexuals, Jews - they're all the same thing! If it were up to me, I'd stand them all against a wall! Better yet - eliminate them when they're born!
[disgusted by Marcello's inability to act and leaving their car]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Paradox of Seriousness in Students
Giulia
What was Marcello like as a student?
Professor Quadri
Serious. Too serious!
Giulia
But you can't be too serious.
Professor Quadri
Really serious people are never serious.
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Confession and Societal Expectations
Confessor
The one thing you have to do is repent and humbly ask His pardon today.
Marcello
I've already repented. I want to be excused by society. Yes. I want to confess today the sin I'll commit tomorrow. One sin atones for another. It is the price I must pay society. And I shall pay it.
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Critique of Intellectualism and Its Limitations
Giulia
He'll be a typical intellectual, disagreeable and impotent.
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Mediocrity and Ambition in Relationships
Marcello
I'm going to build a life that's normal. I'm marrying a petty bourgeoise.
Confessor
Then she must be a fine girl.
Giulia
Speak out. Go ahead.
Marcello
Mediocre. A mound of petty ideas. Full of petty ambitions. She's all bed and kitchen.
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The Curious Nature of Political Duty
Giulia
Marcello, don't go out. They could hurt you.
Marcello
I won't be in danger. After all, what have I done? My duty.
Giulia
But why do you want to go?
Marcello
I want to see how a dictatorship falls.
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Creating the New Italian Identity
Professor Quadri
Clerici, you had me convinced you were the typical new Italian.
Marcello
No such type exists yet, but we're creating him.
Anna
Through repression?
Marcello
No, through example.
Anna
Giving him castor oil? Throwing him into prison? By torturing them? Blackmailing?
Professor Quadri
Anna, please, dear, calm down. Clerici is a fascist. I'm an anti-fascist. We both knew. And we decided to have supper together all the same.
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Moral Dilemmas and Temptations Explored
Giulia
If you want... want to...
[while kissing Marcello on a couch]
Marcello
If I want to...?
Giulia
Yes, right here... on the floor... on the carpet... Want to?
Marcello
Better think about the priest. He may not grant absolution.
Giulia
They grant everyone absolution.
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Reflections on a Father's Memories
Marcello
Ten years ago, my father was in Munich. Often, after the theater, he told me that he'd go with friends to a Bierstube. There was a nutty man they thought a fool. He spoke about politics. He was quite an attraction. They'd buy him beer and encourage him. He'd stand up on the table making furious speeches. It was ].
[[Hitler]
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