A ( impatient ): Well? B ( reading ): "... sick…
““A ( impatient ): Well? B ( reading ): "... sick headaches... eye trouble... irrational fear of vipers... ear trouble... "--nothing for us there--"... fibroid tumours... pathological horror of songbirds... throat trouble... need of affection... "--we're coming to it--"... inner void... congenital timidity... nose trouble... "--ah! listen to this--"... morbidly sensitive to the opinions of others..." ( Looks up. ) What did I tell you? A ( glum ): Tsstss! B: I'll read the whole passage: "... morbidly sensitive to the opinion of others--" ( His lamp goes out. ) Well! The bulb has blown! ( The lamp goes on again. ) No, it hasn't! Must be a faulty connection. ( Examines the lamp, straightens the flex. ) The flex was twisted, now all is well. ( Reading. ) "... morbidly sensitive--" ( The lamp goes out. ) Bugger and shit! Pause. ( next two lines spoken on top of each other ) B: "... morbidly sensitive--" A: Keep your hands off the table. B: What? A: Keep your hands off the table. If it's a connection the least jog can do it. B: ( having pulled back his chair a little way ): "... morbidly sensitive--" The lamp goes out. B Bangs on the table with his fist. The lamp goes on again. Pause. A: Mysterious affair, electricity.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A chaotic dialogue reveals how fragile perception and communication are, likened to a faulty lamp that flickers between light and darkness.
In simple terms: Our thoughts and connections can be unstable and easily disrupted.
Key Takeaway
Check and repair your mental and emotional connections.
Themes
communication
perception
fragility
absurdity
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
philosophical
dramatic
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- creative writing
- team meetings
- conflict resolution
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
human condition
mental health
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain clarity when your mental “lamp” flickers?
- What connections in your life need repair?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex psychological issues.