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And the men who got down from the cab were not ordinary…

“And the men who got down from the cab were not ordinary truck drivers in soft caps and mackinaws but men in overcoats and fedoras with a way of lighting their cigarettes in their cupped hands while the teamsters on inside duty backed the trucks into the black depths...” quote by E. L. Doctrow
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““And the men who got down from the cab were not ordinary truck drivers in soft caps and mackinaws but men in overcoats and fedoras with a way of lighting their cigarettes in their cupped hands while the teamsters on inside duty backed the trucks into the black depths...””

E. L. Doctrow

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The description paints a gritty, atmospheric scene of night workers in distinctive attire, highlighting class and mystery

In simple terms: Night workers are depicted with vivid, contrasting details

Key Takeaway

Notice the vivid night‑time atmosphere.

Themes

urban class mystery atmosphere

Mood

reflective nostalgic

Type

literary descriptive

When to use this quote

  • night shift work
  • historical labor
  • film noir setting
  • character study

Key Concepts

social stratification identity ritual

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the attire reveal about status?
  • How does setting affect mood?
A Different Perspective

Romanticizing the past may ignore hardships.

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