And in winter, under my greatcoat, I wrapped myself in…
““And in winter, under my greatcoat, I wrapped myself in swathes of newspaper, and did not shed them until the earth awoke, for good, in April. The Times Literary Supplement was admirably adapted to this purpose, of a neverfailing toughness and impermeability. Even farts made no impression on it. I can't help it, gas escapes from my fundament on the least pretext, it's hard not to mention it now and then, however great my distaste. One day I counted them. Three hundred and fifteen farts in nineteen hours, or an average of over sixteen farts an hour. After all it's not excessive. Four farts every fifteen minutes. It's nothing. Not even one fart every four minutes. It's unbelievable. Damn it, I hardly fart at all, I should never have mentioned it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator hides in newspaper, noting absurdly many farts, highlighting human absurdity and bodily functions.
In simple terms: He hides in paper, counts farts, showing absurdity.
Key Takeaway
Embrace absurdity.
Themes
humor
absurdity
bodily functions
Mood
wry
self‑deprecating
Type
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- daily life
- personal confession
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existentialism
satire
self‑observation
Questions to Reflect On
- Why focus on farts?
- What does this reveal about human vulnerability?
A Different Perspective
Humor can mask deeper discomfort.