Frightened Quote by Fritz Leiber
““Miss Millick wondered just what had happened to Mr. Wran. He kept making the strangest remarks when she took dictation. Just this morning he had quickly turned around and asked, "Have you ever seen a ghost, Miss Millick?" And she had tittered nervously and replied, "When I was a girl there was a thing in white that used to come out of the closet in the attic bedroom when you slept there, and moan. Of course it was just my imagination. I was frightened of lots of things." And he had said, "I don't mean that traditional kind of ghost. I mean a ghost from the world today, with the soot of the factories in its face and the pounding of machinery in its soul. The kind that would haunt coal yards and slip around at night through deserted office buildings like this one. A real ghost. Not something out of books." And she hadn't known what to say. ("Smoke Ghost")””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “Smoke Ghost” by Fritz Leiber, 1975
The narrator describes a modern ghost symbolizing industrial decay and societal neglect.
In simple terms: A ghost representing modern industrial ruin.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how environmental and social decay haunt us.
Themes
industrialization
environment
modernity
alienation
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- environmental activism
- mental health awareness
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
ecocriticism
urban decay
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does industrialization affect our collective psyche?
- What modern “ghosts” do we ignore?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex systemic issues.
