FRYING-PAN, n. One part of the penal apparatus employed in…
“FRYING-PAN, n. One part of the penal apparatus employed in that punitive institution, a woman's kitchen. The frying-pan was invented by Calvin, and by him used in cooking span-long infants that had died without baptism; and observing one day the horrible torment of a tramp who had incautiously pulled a fried babe from the waste-dump and devoured it, it occurred to the great divine to rob death of its terrors by introducing the frying-pan into every household in Geneva. Thence it spread to all corners of the world, and has been of invaluable assistance in the propagation of his sombre faith.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A satirical definition mocking the cruelty of punitive institutions, likening a kitchen utensil to a tool of oppression.
In simple terms: Sarcastic critique of punishment and religious hypocrisy.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and moral hypocrisy.
Themes
satire
religion
punishment
hypocrisy
power
Mood
cynical
dark
thought‑provoking
Type
satirical
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- religious critique
- historical analysis
- ethical debate
Key Concepts
social critique
dark humor
moral paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- How does satire reveal hidden injustices?
- What role does humor play in confronting oppression?
A Different Perspective
The humor may obscure the seriousness of actual suffering.