"A quiet little town not far from here."
Director: Lars von Trier
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Paul Bettany, John Hurt, Stellan Skarsgård, Philip Baker Hall
Dogville — Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Dogs can be taught many useful things, but not if we forgive them every time they obey their own nature.
Context
The climax of the film, during the conversation in the Cadillac between Grace and her father, just before she decides the town's fate.
Meaning
This is the film's thesis statement. It argues that holding people accountable is necessary for civilization, and that infinite forgiveness essentially reduces humans to the status of animals who cannot control their instincts.
So I'm arrogant. I'm arrogant because I forgive people?
Context
The pivotal philosophical debate in the car where Grace's worldview is deconstructed.
Meaning
Grace questions her father's accusation, leading to the realization that her "mercy" was actually a refusal to see the townspeople as her equals. She thought she was better than them, and thus they couldn't help themselves.
If there is any town this world would be better without, this is it.
Context
After stepping out of her father's car, moments before ordering the massacre.
Meaning
The moment of judgment. Grace looks at the town under the moonlight and decides that allowing Dogville to exist would be a greater sin than destroying it.
Goodbye, Tom.
Context
Spoken right before she personally shoots Tom in the head.
Meaning
The final severance of her last emotional tie to the town. It is an execution order delivered with cold intimacy.
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