Front door Quote by Evelyn Waugh
““The Pension Dressler stood in a side street and had, at first glance, the air rather of a farm than of a hotel. Frau Dressler's pig, tethered by one hind trotter to the jamb of the front door, roamed the yard and disputed the kitchen scraps with the poultry. He was a prodigious beast. Frau Dressler's guests prodded him appreciatively on the way to the dining-room, speculating on how soon he would be ripe for killing. The milch-goat was allowed a narrower radius; those who kept strictly to the causeway were safe, but she never reconciled herself to this limitation and, day in, day out, essayed a series of meteoric onslaughts on the passers-by, ending, at the end of her rope, with a jerk which would have been death to an animal of any other species. One day the rope would break; she knew it, and so did Frau Dressler's guests.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Decline and Fall, Evelyn Waugh, 1928
A satirical scene exposing the absurdity of genteel hospitality, where animals become symbols of chaotic, unchecked desire.
In simple terms: The setting mocks refined society through unruly animals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question pretentiousness.
Themes
satire
social class
absurdity
hospitality
animal symbolism
Mood
wry
critical
humorous
Type
literary
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- high society gatherings
- hospitality industry
- animal behavior
- class commentary
Key Concepts
British literature
social critique
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does satire reveal hidden social truths?
- What modern settings mirror this chaos?
A Different Perspective
The humor may downplay real suffering of animals and people.
