Elena

“Human beings hate everything that is unnatural," Michael explained. "They think that bears must remain bears. It's just the same way some people think that the lower classes must remain poor. They would consider anything else unnatural."
"If that's true, why did they build a zoo?"
"Ah, that is indeed a contradiction. But inconsistency is mankind's very nature."
"Now you're fudging."
"You don't have to worry about what's natural and unnatural. Just live your life as you please.”
― Yōko Tawada, Memoirs of a Polar Bear

“If human beings want to possess human rights, they have to give animals animal rights. But how do I justify the fact that yesterday I ate meat? I lack the courage to think this thought through to the end.”
― Yōko Tawada, Memoirs of a Polar Bear

“Why do panda bears bore you?"
"Since they're born wearing such impressive makeup, they don't make any effort to be interesting. They neither master any stageworthy tricks nor write autobiographies.”
― Yōko Tawada, Memoirs of a Polar Bear

“But this way I can learn German. I’ll write in German, and you can save
time. No more translations.”
“No, that’s out of the question! You have to write in your own mother
tongue. You’re supposed to be pouring out your heart, and that needs to happen in a natural way.”
“What’s my mother tongue?”
“The language your mother speaks.”
“I’ve never spoken with my mother.”
"A mother is a mother, even if you never speak with her.”
― Yōko Tawada, Memoirs of a Polar Bear