Statements extracted from the movie “Apocalypse Now” have achieved appreciable recognition. These memorable strains of dialogue, spoken by varied characters inside the narrative, encapsulate the film’s themes of warfare, morality, and the descent into insanity. An instance consists of the long-lasting declaration, “I like the scent of napalm within the morning.”
The importance of those utterances lies of their capability to distill the complicated emotional and philosophical core of the movie. They function cultural touchstones, incessantly referenced and repurposed to convey comparable sentiments in different contexts. Moreover, inspecting the phrases inside the historic backdrop of the Vietnam Warfare enhances comprehension of their deeper which means and affect.
The following sections will discover probably the most notable of those sayings, analyzing their context inside the film and their lasting legacy in well-liked tradition. We are going to delve into the particular themes every phrase embodies and focus on its enduring resonance with audiences.
1. Napalm’s scent.
Inside the tapestry of utterances drawn from “Apocalypse Now,” a singular phrase, “I like the scent of napalm within the morning,” rises above the cacophony of warfare. It’s not merely a line of dialogue, however a chilling revelation of the human capability to search out exhilaration in destruction, a perverse celebration of devastation delivered within the daybreak’s fragile mild.
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The Attract of Warfare
This assertion, delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Invoice Kilgore, displays the character’s, and maybe humanity’s, unsettling attraction to the facility and spectacle of warfare. Kilgore, a surfing-obsessed commander, views fight as a stage for his machismo, an area the place explosions are stunning and worry is an inconvenience. This isn’t a documentary; the quote is just not essentially actuality. The implication right here is the blurring of strains between proper and fallacious throughout wartime.
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Desensitization to Violence
The quote illustrates the insidious nature of extended publicity to violence. The repetition and normalization of such acts can result in a detachment from the results, a numbing of the conscience. Within the context of the movie, Kilgore’s detachment signifies an ethical decay, a corrosion of his humanity within the crucible of Vietnam. The detachment turns into the person; the person turns into the warfare.
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Image of American Imperialism
The enthusiastic embrace of napalm, a horrific weapon of mass destruction, serves as a symbolic illustration of American navy intervention in Vietnam. It speaks to a way of unchecked energy and a disregard for the struggling inflicted upon the Vietnamese individuals. The road turns into an indictment of a warfare waged with indiscriminate pressure. The place is the road between security and an excessive amount of?
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Enduring Cultural Influence
Past the confines of the movie, the phrase “I like the scent of napalm within the morning” has seeped into the cultural lexicon. It has been appropriated, parodied, and referenced numerous occasions to convey a way of grim irony, to spotlight the absurdities of energy, and to remind us of the seductive risks of warfare. The assertion stands as a bleak monument to a movie, and a battle, that continues to hang-out the collective consciousness.
These aspects collectively illuminate the efficiency of “Napalm’s scent” as greater than a mere quote. It’s a concentrated dose of the movie’s central themes, a distillation of the ethical ambiguities and devastating penalties of warfare. Its lasting affect ensures that “Apocalypse Now,” and its troubling message, continues to resonate with every new technology.
2. The horror.
Inside the constellation of utterances that comprise “apocalypse now film quotes,” a two-word epitaph echoes with explicit dread: “The horror.” This stark declaration, whispered by Marlon Brando’s Colonel Kurtz in his remaining moments, is just not merely a line; it’s the summation of a soul ravaged by the abyss of warfare. It serves because the darkish coronary heart of the movie, pulsing with the profound disillusionment and ethical decay that the narrative relentlessly explores.
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Acknowledgement of Utter Depravity
The phrase features as Kurtz’s belated, agonizing recognition of the sheer depravity he has witnessed and, extra disturbingly, participated in. It’s an admission of the unspeakable acts dedicated within the identify of warfare, the barbarity that lurks beneath the veneer of civilization. Within the context of the movie, it marks Kurtz’s final give up to the darkness he had sought to grasp and grasp. It’s the admission of a flawed man.
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Condemnation of Warfare’s Corrosive Affect
“The horror” transcends particular person culpability, changing into a broader indictment of warfare itself. It highlights the capability of armed battle to strip away morality, to cut back people to primal beings able to unimaginable cruelty. Warfare isn’t just the bodily battle; its the battles fought internally. The quote means that warfare, at its core, is an encounter with the darkest elements of human nature, a revelation of our capability for unspeakable acts.
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Existential Confrontation with Mortality
The utterance additionally suggests an existential confrontation with the fragility of human existence and the inevitability of demise. Kurtz, going through his personal demise, is compelled to confront the meaningless of his actions and the last word futility of human ambition. “The horror” turns into a lament for the misplaced potential, the wasted lives, and the irredeemable harm inflicted by warfare. What’s the which means of demise when demise is throughout?
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Enduring Legacy of Cinematic Despair
Just like the affect of “I like the scent of napalm within the morning,” “The horror” has permeated well-liked tradition, changing into shorthand for existential dread and the popularity of profound evil. It’s invoked to explain conditions the place the darkness of humanity is laid naked, the place the snug illusions of order and morality are shattered. The easy phrase has grown past the movie and has taken on a lifetime of its personal. It resonates as a result of it speaks to a common worry of the unknown, and the unknowable depths of human nature.
These aspects, like shards of a shattered mirror, replicate the multifaceted nature of “The horror.” It’s a phrase that encapsulates the movie’s central themes of ethical decay, the futility of warfare, and the enduring darkness inside the human coronary heart. It stays a potent reminder of the value of battle and the need of confronting the horror that resides inside ourselves and the world round us. It leaves the viewers to ponder the query of the place the road is drawn, and what it means to be human within the midst of a lot devastation.
3. Terminate with excessive prejudice.
The phrase “Terminate with excessive prejudice,” an icy directive whispered from the shadows of navy intelligence, stands as a chilling cornerstone inside the broader edifice of “apocalypse now film quotes.” It’s a mandate of assassination, cloaked in bureaucratic euphemism, that sends Captain Willard on his descent into the center of darkness. This order, seemingly indifferent and medical, embodies the ethical ambiguity and the brutal pragmatism that outline the movie’s exploration of the Vietnam Warfare.
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The Language of Justification
Using such language serves as a method to distance these giving the order from the act itself. “Terminate” replaces “kill,” and “excessive prejudice” sanitizes the violence inherent within the mission. This linguistic maneuver permits these in energy to keep away from confronting the ethical implications of their selections, making a buffer between themselves and the results of their instructions. Think about using comparable language in up to date discussions of drone warfare, the place “surgical strikes” and “collateral harm” obscure the truth of human lives misplaced.
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Erosion of Ethical Boundaries
The order highlights the blurring of ethical strains that happen throughout wartime. Willard is tasked with assassinating a rogue officer, a person who has seemingly crossed over to the opposite aspect. But, the very act of authorizing such a mission raises questions in regards to the moral compromises demanded by warfare. The place does the road between justifiable motion and felony conduct lie when the foundations of engagement are so fluid? Historic examples, such because the My Lai Bloodbath, illustrate the risks of unchecked authority and the erosion of ethical boundaries within the fog of warfare.
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The Query of Authority
The directive forces Willard to grapple with the character of authority and the legitimacy of the chain of command. Is he obligated to comply with orders, even when these orders violate his personal ethical code? The movie presents a stark portrait of a system the place people are lowered to devices of coverage, the place crucial pondering is discouraged, and the place dissent is met with swift and brutal penalties. This resonates with historic accounts of troopers battling orders they deemed immoral, highlighting the stress between obligation and conscience.
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Dehumanization of the Goal
The phrase “terminate with excessive prejudice” inherently dehumanizes Colonel Kurtz, turning him into an issue to be eradicated reasonably than a human being. By stripping him of his humanity, the order makes his assassination extra palatable, each to these issuing the command and to these carrying it out. This echoes historic patterns of dehumanizing the enemy in wartime propaganda, which serves to justify violence and aggression. The implications, after all, are sometimes devastating, resulting in atrocities and a perpetuation of the cycle of violence.
These intertwined aspects of “Terminate with excessive prejudice” display its pivotal position inside the constellation of “apocalypse now film quotes.” It’s a concise distillation of the movie’s central themes: the corrupting affect of energy, the erosion of morality in wartime, and the dehumanization that fuels the equipment of battle. The phrase serves as a chilling reminder of the darkish selections made within the identify of warfare and the enduring penalties of these selections on the people concerned and the societies they characterize.
4. Absolute energy.
Inside the shadowed jungle of “Apocalypse Now,” the whispered phrase “Absolute energy corrupts completely” hangs heavy within the humid air, an unstated fact etched onto the faces of males descending into insanity. Whereas the precise quote is a paraphrasing of Lord Acton’s well-known dictum, the sentiment permeates the movie. The narrative serves as a brutal exploration of unchecked authority and its inevitable descent into ethical decay, cementing its place amongst probably the most haunting “apocalypse now film quotes.” The absence of the precise wording would not diminish its crushing weight; the movie embodies its essence.
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The Cult of Persona
Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, the movie’s central determine, embodies this corruption. He instructions a personal military within the Cambodian jungle, meting out justice and punishment in line with his personal warped ethical code. His followers deal with him as a god, reinforcing his sense of absolute authority and isolating him from any exterior checks on his energy. Historical past is replete with examples, from dictators to cult leaders, the place unchecked energy fuels a character cult that in the end results in abuse and oppression. Kurtz’s descent mirrors these historic patterns, showcasing the risks of permitting one particular person to amass unquestioned authority. Stalin, Hitler, Mao – the echoes are unmistakable.
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The Erosion of Accountability
Energy, when absolute, breeds impunity. Kurtz operates exterior the purview of navy legislation, free from any significant oversight. His actions, nonetheless brutal, are justified by his personal twisted logic, making a self-sustaining system of violence and management. This lack of accountability permits abuses to flourish, as there isn’t any worry of consequence or reprisal. Up to date examples, from company malfeasance to political corruption, display the devastating affect of a system the place these in energy should not held liable for their actions. Accountability is the cornerstone of justice; its absence paves the way in which for tyranny.
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The Justification of Atrocities
Absolute energy typically necessitates the justification of atrocities. Kurtz, in his pursuit of a “pure” type of warfare, resorts to more and more barbaric techniques, together with the ritualistic killings of civilians. These actions are rationalized as crucial evils, sacrifices made within the pursuit of a better goal. This twisted logic is a trademark of authoritarian regimes, the place violence is employed as a software to keep up management and suppress dissent. The Rwandan genocide, the Khmer Rouge regime, and numerous different historic horrors stand as stark reminders of the risks of justifying atrocities within the identify of energy.
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The Psychological Toll
The pursuit and train of absolute energy actual a heavy psychological toll. Kurtz, as soon as a promising officer, is pushed to the brink of insanity by the load of his authority and the horrors he has witnessed and perpetrated. The movie means that absolute energy not solely corrupts morally but in addition psychologically, warping the thoughts and eroding the soul. Shakespeare’s Macbeth gives the same exploration of the psychological penalties of ambition and the corrosive results of unchecked energy. The worth of absolute energy, it appears, is usually the forfeiture of 1’s personal sanity.
These interwoven strands of energy, corruption, and insanity weave a compelling narrative, endlessly linking the thematic significance of “Absolute energy” to the enduring energy of the “apocalypse now film quotes.” The movie forces the viewers to confront the uncomfortable fact that the potential for such corruption exists inside us all and that the vigilance towards unchecked authority is a continuing and crucial battle. The jungle could also be in Vietnam, however the darkness resides inside the human coronary heart.
5. Methodology to the insanity.
Inside the chaotic symphony of “apocalypse now film quotes,” the phrase “Methodology to the insanity” finds a disturbing resonance. It is not explicitly uttered, but it lurks beneath the floor of the narrative, a justification for the more and more inexplicable actions witnessed. The movie forces viewers to query if there’s certainly a hidden rationality guiding the descent into barbarity or if the insanity is just that, pure and unadulterated.
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The Phantasm of Management
The phrase implies a calculated technique, a deliberate plan masked by outward chaos. In “Apocalypse Now,” this manifests within the actions of Colonel Kurtz. His seemingly insane strategies the brutality, the ritualistic killings are offered as half of a bigger technique, a method to impose order on the chaos of the jungle. This echoes the historic justifications for atrocities dedicated within the identify of warfare, the place excessive violence is rationalized as a crucial means to an finish. The query turns into whether or not the tip actually justifies the means, or if the means themselves corrupt the very goal they’re supposed to serve. Is Kurtz’s technique merely a masks for his personal unraveling?
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Deconstructing Sanity
The movie intentionally destabilizes the viewers’s notion of sanity. What seems mad to standard minds might, within the context of the warfare, be a type of twisted logic. Kurtz’s actions, whereas horrific, are offered as a response to the absurdity of the battle, a method to make sense of mindless violence. This deconstruction of sanity challenges the viewer to query their very own assumptions about morality and the character of fine and evil. Historical past is replete with examples of people who, working exterior the norms of society, had been initially deemed insane however later acknowledged as visionaries or revolutionaries. Was Kurtz a madman, or a prophet of a brand new, brutal order?
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The Futility of Rationalization
Finally, the movie means that there isn’t any true “technique” to the insanity of warfare. The try to impose order on chaos is itself a type of delusion, a method to keep away from confronting the inherent irrationality of the battle. Kurtz’s grand technique, his try to create a brand new society primarily based on brutal effectivity, in the end fails, consumed by the very chaos he sought to regulate. This speaks to the futility of makes an attempt to rationalize the horrors of warfare, to search out which means in mindless violence. The Vietnam Warfare itself was a testomony to this futility, a battle pushed by flawed logic and in the end resulting in devastating penalties.
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The Subjectivity of Perspective
The notion of insanity is subjective, depending on one’s perspective and place inside the battle. What seems mad to Captain Willard, an outsider tasked with assassinating Kurtz, could seem completely cheap to the Colonel’s followers, who’ve totally embraced his worldview. This highlights the risks of imposing one’s personal ethical framework onto one other tradition or ideology. The movie means that understanding, whether it is doable in any respect, requires empathy and a willingness to see the world by means of the eyes of one other, even when that perspective is deeply unsettling. Understanding doesn’t equal acceptance, but it surely is step one towards confronting the darkness inside ourselves and others.
The phrase “Methodology to the insanity,” whereas unstated, permeates the movie. It forces a confrontation with the unsettling chance that there’s a disturbing logic to the insanity of warfare, or that the pursuit of such a logic can drive one to the brink of madness. The “apocalypse now film quotes”, and the movie itself, function a stark warning in regards to the risks of unchecked energy, the futility of rationalizing violence, and the corrosive impact of warfare on the human soul. The viewers are left to determine if there was certainly a “technique” behind Kurtz’s actions, or if he merely succumbed to the insanity that lurks inside us all.
6. Charging me for sitting.
Amidst the grand pronouncements and philosophical musings that outline probably the most memorable “apocalypse now film quotes”, a seemingly insignificant utterance cuts by means of the fog of warfare: “Charging me for sitting.” Uttered by Chef, one in every of Willard’s crew, this line, at first look, seems devoid of profound which means. Nonetheless, its very mundanity serves to amplify the surreal and sometimes absurd nature of the Vietnam Warfare, and, certainly, the human situation itself when thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
Chef’s grievance, seemingly trivial within the face of impending hazard and ethical decay, highlights the persistence of the abnormal even amidst the extraordinary. He isn’t grappling with existential dread or the horrors of fight, however reasonably with the indignity of being charged further for merely current. This triviality acts as a counterpoint to the grand narratives of heroism and sacrifice, reminding the viewer of the on a regular basis issues that proceed to plague people whatever the surrounding chaos. It’s a reminder of the banal realities that persist even when confronted with the elegant, or the terrifying. Consider troopers writing letters residence about leaky roofs or misplaced laundry whereas preventing within the trenches of World Warfare I. Chef’s lament captures that very same disconnect.
The road additionally underscores the breakdown of normalcy and the commodification of all the pieces, even primary human wants, inside a warfare zone. The warfare has created a system the place even sitting turns into a rechargeable offense, reflecting a distorted sense of worth and a lack of primary human decency. This micro-example mirrors the macro-level corruption and exploitation that permeate the complete battle, from the black market buying and selling of products to the manipulation of native populations. It underscores that warfare is just not merely a sequence of battles however a fancy net of financial and social interactions, typically pushed by greed and self-interest. On this context, “Charging me for sitting” ceases to be a easy grievance and turns into an emblem of the warfare’s pervasive corruption. Whereas seemingly insignificant alongside the extra profound “apocalypse now film quotes,” it’s this very insignificance that provides a potent commentary on the warfare’s affect on the human spirit.
Often Requested Questions Concerning “Apocalypse Now Film Quotes”
The cinematic journey into the center of darkness, “Apocalypse Now,” yields a trove of memorable utterances. This part addresses persistent inquiries in regards to the movie’s iconic strains, delving into their which means and significance.
Query 1: Did Colonel Kurtz Truly Say “The Horror”?
Historic data, particularly the movie itself, verify Colonel Kurtz’s utterance of “The Horror.” The road serves as his remaining judgment on the warfare and humanity. It’s a distillation of his expertise and perspective on the very finish of a troubling expertise.
Query 2: What Is the Significance of “I Love the Scent of Napalm within the Morning”?
This line, delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore, illustrates a desensitization to violence. It displays the seductive attract of warfare and the potential for ethical decay. The character talking has grow to be the embodiment of the warfare.
Query 3: Is The Quote “Terminate With Excessive Prejudice” an Precise Army Time period?
Although the particular phrasing may be a Hollywood embellishment, the sentiment displays the kind of orders given throughout clandestine operations. It highlights the darkish aspect of navy technique. There’s a darkness inside all of us that may be introduced out by warfare.
Query 4: How Does “Apocalypse Now” Use Film Quotes to Convey Its Message?
The movie makes use of its quoted materials to create a tapestry of which means, which displays the psychological and ethical panorama of the Vietnam Warfare. Every assertion turns into some extent of introspection for the viewers.
Query 5: Are There Different Notable Quotations In addition to the Nicely-Recognized Ones?
Sure, even seemingly minor strains, resembling “Charging me for sitting,” contribute to the general ambiance of absurdity and ethical ambiguity that pervades the movie. This additional underscores the horrors that happen throughout warfare.
Query 6: What Makes These Quotations Enduring and Culturally Vital?
The chosen strains resonate as a result of they distill complicated feelings and philosophical questions into concise, memorable statements. They proceed to be invoked and reinterpreted in varied cultural contexts. They communicate to common fears and anxieties.
In abstract, the sayings from “Apocalypse Now” transcend mere dialogue. They function poignant reflections of the movie’s core themes, guaranteeing their lasting affect on cinema and tradition.
The following sections will discover the historic background of the Vietnam Warfare and its affect on shaping the themes offered in “Apocalypse Now”.
Classes Echoing From the River
Simply as Captain Willard journeyed upriver, guided by cryptic orders and shadowed by the specter of Colonel Kurtz, people navigate the chaotic currents of life. “Apocalypse Now film quotes” should not mere strains of dialogue; they’re echoes of knowledge, gleaned from the depths of human expertise. These classes, sharp as a honed blade, supply steering amidst the ethical ambiguities and existential struggles inherent within the fashionable world.
Tip 1: Confront “The Horror”: Acknowledge Actuality, Nonetheless Disagreeable.
Kurtz’s remaining phrases, although born of insanity, communicate to the need of confronting the darkest elements of actuality. Avoiding tough truths solely permits them to fester. Whether or not going through private failures, systemic injustices, or the inevitability of mortality, acknowledge “the horror” to start the method of therapeutic and development. Denial is a river main solely to stagnation.
Tip 2: Mood Enthusiasm: Beware the “Scent of Napalm.”
Kilgore’s reckless embrace of destruction serves as a cautionary story. Zealotry, even when fueled by ardour, can blind people to the results of their actions. Mood enthusiasm with empathy and important pondering. Query the attract of energy, lest it result in unintended devastation. The scent of victory can masks the stench of defeat for others.
Tip 3: Query Orders: “Terminate With Excessive Prejudice” Calls for Reflection.
Blind obedience can result in ethical compromise. Simply as Willard wrestled with the implications of his mission, people should critically consider the directives they obtain, whether or not from superiors, societal norms, or inner impulses. Uphold private integrity, even when confronted with stress to evolve. A soldier doesn’t give up his conscience on the enlistment station.
Tip 4: Resist the Lure of “Absolute Energy.”
Kurtz’s descent into tyranny serves as a stark warning towards the corrupting affect of unchecked authority. Guard towards the temptation to dominate or management others. Domesticate humility and a willingness to share energy. The buildup of authority is a gradual burn; the fireplace it may ignite burns far hotter.
Tip 5: Search Which means, However Beware the “Insanity.”
The seek for goal is a basic human drive, however the movie cautions towards sacrificing sanity in its pursuit. Preserve a connection to actuality, even when confronted with the absurdities of existence. Floor goal in compassion and empathy, reasonably than blind ambition. Don’t mistake the siren music of certainty for the regular beacon of fact.
Tip 6: Embrace the Mundane: Discover Humanity in “Charging Me for Sitting.”
Amidst the grand struggles and existential crises, keep in mind to understand the small joys and abnormal moments. Chef’s grievance reminds people that humanity persists even within the face of profound struggling. Discover solace in connection, compassion, and the straightforward act of being current. The best battles are generally fought inside the confines of the abnormal.
These classes, distilled from the center of “Apocalypse Now film quotes”, supply a roadmap for navigating life’s complicated terrain. By confronting the darkness, questioning authority, and tempering enthusiasm, people can chart a course towards a extra significant and compassionate existence.
As Captain Willard emerged from the jungle, endlessly modified by his journey, so can also people emerge from the chaos of life, armed with knowledge and a renewed dedication to moral motion. The river flows on, however the classes stay.
Echoes within the Jungle
The journey by means of the center of darkness, guided by the illumination of “apocalypse now film quotes”, reveals a panorama as treacherous because the Nung River itself. The exploration has navigated the movie’s most potent phrases, dissecting their layers of which means and exposing the uncooked nerve of human expertise beneath. From the chilling acceptance of napalm’s scent to the despairing pronouncement of ‘the horror,’ these phrases have confirmed to be greater than mere dialogue; they’re a concentrated type of the movie’s very essence. Every assertion, a fastidiously positioned stone, constructs a path by means of the ethical quagmire of warfare, revealing the fragility of sanity and the seductive attract of energy.
The movie, very similar to the warfare it depicts, lingers within the collective consciousness, prompting perpetual contemplation of its unsettling truths. Maybe the enduring worth lies not merely within the quotes themselves, however within the persistent questions they provoke. What constitutes insanity within the face of unimaginable horror? The place is the road between obligation and depravity? How does one keep humanity amidst the dehumanizing forces of battle? “Apocalypse Now” gives no simple solutions, as an alternative demanding that every viewer embark on their very own private journey upriver, confronting the darkness inside themselves and the world, endlessly haunted by the echoes of these chilling, unforgettable phrases. The river flows, and the questions stay.
