Helprin

"The ape is an animal that you hope, as you watch it accomplishing its isometrics against the iron bars restraining it, will break through even if it means that it may then turn its attention to you, because you have enough idealistic principle left, planted by nuns, priests, or rabbis, to wish for his freedom. That we put him in a cage is beneficial to us but a rather obvious transgression of the golden rule."


August 16, 1997