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Ashtray Quote by Grace Paley

“Air was filtering out of my two collapsing lungs. Water rose, bubbling to enter, and I would have died of instantaneous pneumonia - something I have never heard of - if my hand had not got hold of a glass ashtray and, entirely apart from my personal decision, flung it.” quote by Grace Paley
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““Air was filtering out of my two collapsing lungs. Water rose, bubbling to enter, and I would have died of instantaneous pneumonia - something I have never heard of - if my hand had not got hold of a glass ashtray and, entirely apart from my personal decision, flung it.””

Grace Paley

About This Quote

Source Short Story: “The Glass Ashtray”, 1972

A desperate act of survival emerges when a character instinctively uses an object to escape a lethal situation.

In simple terms: Instinctive actions can save lives in crisis.

Key Takeaway

Trust gut reactions in emergencies.

Themes

survival instinct crisis human resilience

Mood

tense urgent

Type

literary survival

When to use this quote

  • first aid training
  • disaster preparedness
  • mental health coping

Key Concepts

Emergency response psychology of panic literary symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you prepare for unexpected crises?
  • What role does instinct play in decision‑making?
A Different Perspective

Rational planning may be impossible in sudden danger.

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