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Kings Quote by David Mitchell

“In the smoky firelight the two old men nodded off like a pair of ancient kings passing the aeons in their tumuli. Made a musical notation of their snores. Elgar is to be played by a bass tuba, Ayrs a bassoon.” quote by David Mitchell
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““In the smoky firelight the two old men nodded off like a pair of ancient kings passing the aeons in their tumuli. Made a musical notation of their snores. Elgar is to be played by a bass tuba, Ayrs a bassoon.””

David Mitchell

About This Quote

Source Short story: “The Bone Clocks” by David Mitchell, 2014

Two elderly men, likened to ancient kings, fall asleep together, their snores imagined as musical notes, with Elgar played by a bass tuba and Ayrs by a bassoon.

In simple terms: Old men’s snores become a whimsical musical scene.

Key Takeaway

Find imagination in everyday moments.

Themes

imagination humor music age friendship

Mood

playful thoughtful melancholic

Type

literary artistic

When to use this quote

  • nighttime conversations
  • creative writing
  • musical imagination
  • elderly companionship

Key Concepts

Surrealism musical metaphor literary playfulness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does humor reshape perceptions of aging?
  • What does the musical choice say about character?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may be overly whimsical for serious analysis.

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