It was in this apartment, also, that there stood against…
““It was in this apartment, also, that there stood against the western wall, a gigantic clock of ebony. It's pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute-hand made the circuit of the face, and the hour was to be stricken, there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical, but of so peculiar a note and emphasis that, at each lapse of an hour, the musicians of the note orchestra were constrained to pause, momentarily, in their performance, to harken to the sound and thus the waltzers perforce ceased their evolutions; and there was a brief disconcert of the whole gay company; and, while the chimes of the clock yet rang, it was observes that the giddiest grew pale, and the more aged and sedate passed their hands over their brows as in confessed revery or meditation””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The clock’s striking hour forces everyone to pause, reflecting how time interrupts and reshapes social activity and personal awareness.
In simple terms: Time’s chime stops us, making us notice the moment.
Key Takeaway
Allow moments of pause to reflect on the present.
Themes
time
interruptions
social rhythm
reflection
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- dance halls
- social gatherings
- work meetings
- personal meditation
Key Concepts
temporal awareness
collective pause
musical metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a sudden pause change your perception of ongoing activity?
- What does the sound of time reveal about your priorities?
A Different Perspective
The clock may symbolize oppressive control rather than gentle reminder.