Yevgeny Zamyatin — We [1171]

I recalled myself only when I stood before Him, and was terrified to raise my eyes: I saw only His huge, cast-iron hands upon His knees. These hands seemed to weigh down even Him, bending His knees. Slowly He moved His fingers. The face was somewhere high up, in a haze, and it seemed that His voice did not thunder, did not deafen me, was like an ordinary human voice only because it came to me from such a height. — Yevgeny Zamyatin, We, 1171

Note

Physical mass and architectural scale translated into emotional intimidation through the imagery of cast-iron hands.