Skip to content

September 20, 1963 The telephone jangled him up from a…

“September 20, 1963 The telephone jangled him up from a pleasant dream. Something about the war again, but soft and warm and . . . he could remember no more. He sat up. Marthe was already in the bathroom, and the telephone’s harsh clamor made him jerk it off the cradle. “Allo?” “Dr. Cohen,” a thick…” quote by Gregory Benford
Download Open image
““September 20, 1963 The telephone jangled him up from a pleasant dream. Something about the war again, but soft and warm and . . . he could remember no more. He sat up. Marthe was already in the bathroom, and the telephone’s harsh clamor made him jerk it off the cradle. “Allo?” “Dr. Cohen,” a thick German accent said, “I am from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a newspaper in—” “I know.””

Gregory Benford

About This Quote

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

A man is jolted awake by a phone call about war, disrupting his dream and causing anxiety.

In simple terms: War news interrupts his peace.

Key Takeaway

Stay aware of how sudden news can affect mental state.

Themes

war media disruption

Mood

tense uneasy

Type

reflective cautionary

When to use this quote

  • nighttime routine
  • news consumption
  • stress management

Key Concepts

psychology information overload anxiety

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does sudden news impact your focus?
  • What strategies help maintain calm after such interruptions?
A Different Perspective

Constant exposure to distressing news can erode mental well‑being.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Gregory Benford

Explore all 96 Gregory Benford quotes

More Dreams quotes

Browse all 40,599 Dreams quotes