Eyes Quote by Frederick Buechner
““I hold my plush monkey over the bannister and let it drop. Its eyes light up when you squeeze its kidneys as whose eyes, I suppose, would not.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: The Book of Bebb, 1971
The narrator uses a whimsical, darkly humorous image of a monkey to explore discomfort with confronting painful truths and the absurdity of self‑inflicted harm.
In simple terms: A strange image reveals deeper discomfort with pain.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question the ways we inflict emotional pain on ourselves.
Themes
humor
darkness
self‑reflection
absurdity
Mood
ironic
thought‑provoking
somber
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal grief
- family tension
- self‑criticism
- creative writing
- therapy
Key Concepts
literature
psychology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the monkey symbolize for you?
- How do you cope with self‑inflicted emotional pain?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may alienate readers who miss its symbolic intent.
![“The power of the state stops at our skins. They can't restrict contraception [or] abortion. They can't take our kidneys. Bodily integrity is a principle.” quote by Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/49f/gloria-steinem-277_abortion_the-power-of-the-state-stops-at-our-skin_304477.jpg)
