--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Goods were arranged in glass cabinets as…" description: "\"“Goods were arranged in glass cabinets as if they were ancient Egyptian artefacts. I was a contaminant, a fly in the gourmet soup, a spanner in the gol..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/a-j-reid-95823_ancient-egyptian_goods-were-arranged-in-glass-cabinets-as_1898602.jpg" --- # Goods were arranged in glass cabinets as if they were… ![“Goods were arranged in glass cabinets as if they were ancient Egyptian artefacts. I was a contaminant, a fly in the gourmet soup, a spanner in the golden machine that sparkled and hummed before my eyes." Reid, A. J. (2012-11-08). A Smaller Hell (Kindle Locations 319-321). . Kindle Edition.” quote by A.J. Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/a-j-reid-95823_ancient-egyptian_goods-were-arranged-in-glass-cabinets-as_1898602.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/a-j-reid-95823_ancient-egyptian_goods-were-arranged-in-glass-cabinets-as_1898602.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/a-j-reid-95823_ancient-egyptian_goods-were-arranged-in-glass-cabinets-as_1898602.jpg) > ““Goods were arranged in glass cabinets as if they were ancient Egyptian artefacts. I was a contaminant, a fly in the gourmet soup, a spanner in the golden machine that sparkled and hummed before my eyes." Reid, A. J. (2012-11-08). A Smaller Hell (Kindle Locations 319-321). . Kindle Edition.”” A.J. Reid ## 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 feels alienated among polished displays, seeing himself as a contaminant disrupting the pristine commercial world. **In simple terms:** He feels out of place in a glossy retail setting. Key Takeaway Recognize when you feel like an outsider. Themes alienation consumerism perception culture disruption Mood disconnected critical Type Ancient egyptian:0 Awe:0 Department store:0 Displays:0 Grand:0 Outsider:1 Retail:0 Splendid:0 Kindle Locations:0 Hell Kindle:0 Goods Arranged:0 Cabinets Ancient:0 Smaller Hell:0 When to use this quote - shopping malls - art exhibitions - new work environments Key Concepts existential critique social observation materialism Questions to Reflect On - What makes you feel like a contaminant? - How can you adapt without losing authenticity? A Different Perspective The metaphor may exaggerate personal discomfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancient egyptian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-egyptian/) [Awe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awe/) [Department store](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/department-store/) [Outsider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outsider/) [Retail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retail/) [Splendid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/splendid/) ## Related quotes > [“How many ghosts might return to the promenade, haunted by the echoes of those promises, perhaps eager to catch a glimpse of what could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-reid/how-many-ghosts-might-return-to-the-promenade-haunted-by-the-echoes/) A.J. Reid > [“So, he who displays himself does not shine;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/so-he-who-displays-himself-does-not-shine/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The truth is a lot of people doing professional video editing and things like that are using these displays that are mounted in place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marques-brownlee/the-truth-is-a-lot-of-people-doing-professional-video-editing-and/) [Marques Brownlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marques-brownlee/) > [I've found that people who design computers don't know a lot about displays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-lou-jepsen/i-ve-found-that-people-who-design-computers-don-t-know-a-lot-about/) [Mary Lou Jepsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-lou-jepsen/) > [“Just watching the drama stage does not define your successful performance; success lies in the display you do on that drama platform and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/just-watching-the-drama-stage-does-not-define-your-successful/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“History displays the events of time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/history-displays-the-events-of-time/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The Mothership is in the Smithsonian now. That's probably one of the biggest displays there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clinton/the-mothership-is-in-the-smithsonian-now-that-s-probably-one-of-the/) [George Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clinton/) > [“but it displays the ink particles electronically.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amazon/but-it-displays-the-ink-particles-electronically/) Amazon > [“Do not dwell on what brought you to a place. The past can serve to warn and to teach, but it makes a poor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dame/do-not-dwell-on-what-brought-you-to-a-place-the-past-can-serve-to/) Mark Dame > [“I know this thing we have wasn’t supposed to be serious, but it’s too late for that, Alè. I’ll have to say this again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-this-thing-we-have-wasn-t-supposed-to-be-serious-but-it-s-too/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“She didn’t even know that he’d turned the shed in the back into a detention cell. 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But I’m taking up cross fit when this is over,” said Jack. “I didn’t realize the apocalypse would be this demanding.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-konkoly/yeah-i-m-fine-but-i-m-taking-up-cross-fit-when-this-is-over-said-jack/) [Steven Konkoly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-konkoly/) > [“Let's face it. I'm the romantic equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle. Men date me then disappear , never to be heard from again." Jaymes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-jaymes/let-s-face-it-i-m-the-romantic-equivalent-of-the-bermuda-triangle-men/) Olivia Jaymes ## More by A.J. Reid > [“How many ghosts might return to the promenade, haunted by the echoes of those promises, perhaps eager to catch a glimpse of what could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-reid/how-many-ghosts-might-return-to-the-promenade-haunted-by-the-echoes/) A.J. Reid Explore all 2 A.J. Reid quotes ## More Ancient egyptian quotes > [“Whenever I think about ancient cultures nostalgia seizes me. 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