Final answer:
The correct word to fill in the blank of Salman Rushdie's quotation is "culture," which highlights the significance of cultural elements in preventing societal desolation. Culture encompasses a wide range of human experiences and is central to the identity of a community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quotation "whole culture, or all the rest is desolation" is associated with the writings of Salman Rushdie. The correct word to fill in the blank is "culture", making the complete line emphasize the critical importance of culture to society and individuals. In the context of this quotation, culture encompasses the arts, customs, habits, beliefs, values, and knowledge that define the lives of a community or society.
Understanding culture is essential in various disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, and literature, as it provides insight into the behaviors and societal structures that shape human interactions. It influences how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. In Rushdie's quote, the suggestion seems to be that without a strong sense of culture, society would be left with a sense of emptiness or 'desolation'.
Culture is an all-encompassing term that represents the collective human experience within a society. It is this essence that Rushdie highlights as vital for the wholeness and well-being of a community or civilization. The presence of a vibrant culture contributes to the richness and diversity of human life.