--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Listen. You know what it's like when…" description: "\"“Listen. You know what it's like when you're in a room with the light on and then suddenly the light goes out? I'll show you. It's like this.\" He turns..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/harold-pinter-3125_blackout_listen-you-know-what-it-s-like-when-you_1842575.png" --- # Listen. You know what it's like when you're in a room with… ![“Listen. You know what it's like when you're in a room with the light on and then suddenly the light goes out? I'll show you. It's like this." He turns out the light. BLACKOUT” quote by Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/harold-pinter-3125_blackout_listen-you-know-what-it-s-like-when-you_1842575.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/harold-pinter-3125_blackout_listen-you-know-what-it-s-like-when-you_1842575.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/harold-pinter-3125_blackout_listen-you-know-what-it-s-like-when-you_1842575.png) > ““Listen. You know what it's like when you're in a room with the light on and then suddenly the light goes out? I'll show you. It's like this." He turns out the light. BLACKOUT”” [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A sudden loss of illumination symbolizes abrupt confusion, and the speaker offers to reveal that darkness. **In simple terms:** Darkness follows sudden loss of light. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty to discover hidden truths. Themes uncertainty perception revelation Mood intriguing thoughtful Type dramatic philosophical When to use this quote - stage performance - personal crisis - creative brainstorming Key Concepts existentialism dramatic tension Questions to Reflect On - How does darkness change your perception? - What does the light represent? A Different Perspective The metaphor may oversimplify complex emotional states. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) ## Related quotes > [Once I was looking through the kitchen window at dusk and I saw an old woman looking in. Suddenly the light changed and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-keane/once-i-was-looking-through-the-kitchen-window-at-dusk-and-i-saw-an/) Molly Keane > [Satori is a brief flash. Suddenly the light breaks through. For a short timeless time we experience eternity in its unmanifest form. It's comparable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/satori-is-a-brief-flash-suddenly-the-light-breaks-through-for-a-short/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [In this light my spirit suddenly saw through all, and in and by all creatures, even in herbs and grass it knew God, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jakob-bohme/in-this-light-my-spirit-suddenly-saw-through-all-and-in-and-by-all/) [Jakob Bohme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jakob-bohme/) > [“The most damnable thing had happened,” he said suddenly in his light husky voice without looking at her. “I have fallen in love with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-chesney/the-most-damnable-thing-had-happened-he-said-suddenly-in-his-light/) [Marion Chesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-chesney/) > [While looking for the light, you may suddenly be devoured by the darkness and find the true light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/while-looking-for-the-light-you-may-suddenly-be-devoured-by-the/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [When youre in a fighter jet and theres a dark layer of clouds with just one blue hole with the sun going through it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-rossy/when-youre-in-a-fighter-jet-and-theres-a-dark-layer-of-clouds-with/) [Yves Rossy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-rossy/) > [“... and for the first time in his life the possibility of death presented itself, not in relation to the living world, or any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/and-for-the-first-time-in-his-life-the-possibility-of-death-presented/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Light, when suddenly let in, dazzles and hurts and almost blinds us: but this soon passes away, and it seems to become the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustus-william-hare/light-when-suddenly-let-in-dazzles-and-hurts-and-almost-blinds-us-but/) [Augustus William Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustus-william-hare/) > [“I'm out, surrounded in dark. But in the distance there is a small glow, a tiny light. Suddenly I'm standing alone, the space starting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-young/i-m-out-surrounded-in-dark-but-in-the-distance-there-is-a-small-glow/) [Suzanne Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-young/) > [It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/it-s-so-much-darker-when-a-light-goes-out-than-it-would-have-been-if/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [The moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-baldwin/the-moment-we-break-faith-with-one-another-the-sea-engulfs-us-and-the/) [James A. Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-baldwin/) > [“The heart may be weak. And sometimes it may even give in. But I've learned that deep down, there's a light that never goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tetsuya-nomura/the-heart-may-be-weak-and-sometimes-it-may-even-give-in-but-i-ve/) [Tetsuya Nomura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tetsuya-nomura/) > [My wife says when I go out to the refrigerator, I do three minutes (entertaining) when the light goes on!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davy-jones/my-wife-says-when-i-go-out-to-the-refrigerator-i-do-three-minutes/) [Davy Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davy-jones/) > [“We have entered the Age of Light. The ages of steam and coal are long gone. With oil clinging to power, light is emerging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-watson/we-have-entered-the-age-of-light-the-ages-of-steam-and-coal-are-long/) [Bruce Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-watson/) > [The poet lights the light and fades away. But the light goes on and on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/the-poet-lights-the-light-and-fades-away-but-the-light-goes-on-and-on/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) ## More by Harold Pinter > [I also found being called Sir rather silly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-also-found-being-called-sir-rather-silly/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I saw Len Hutton in his prime, Another time, another time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-saw-len-hutton-in-his-prime-another-time-another-time/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Nothing is more sterile or lamentable than the man content to live within himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/nothing-is-more-sterile-or-lamentable-than-the-man-content-to-live/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“ I know the place I know the place. It is true. Everything we do Corrects the space Between death and me And you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-know-the-place-i-know-the-place-it-is-true-everything-we-do/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“DEELEY: Myself I was a student then, juggling with my future, wondering should I bejasus saddle myself with a slip of a girl not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/deeley-myself-i-was-a-student-then-juggling-with-my-future-wondering/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I've never been able to understand what they mean by 'Pinteresque,'. I'm sure it's indefinable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-ve-never-been-able-to-understand-what-they-mean-by-pinteresque-i-m/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [A character on stage who can present no convincing argument or information as to his past experience, his present behaviour or his aspirations, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/a-character-on-stage-who-can-present-no-convincing-argument-or/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I'll tell you what I really think about politicians. The other night I watched some politicians on television talking about Vietnam. I wanted very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-ll-tell-you-what-i-really-think-about-politicians-the-other-night-i/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Be careful how you talk about God. He's the only God we have. If you let him go he won't come back. He won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/be-careful-how-you-talk-about-god-he-s-the-only-god-we-have-if-you/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [I hate brandy...it stinks of modern literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/i-hate-brandy-it-stinks-of-modern-literature/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“What sound was that? I turn away, into the shaking room. What was that sound that came in on the dark? What is this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/what-sound-was-that-i-turn-away-into-the-shaking-room-what-was-that/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [There are no hard distinctions between what is real and what is unreal, nor between what is true and what is false. A thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/there-are-no-hard-distinctions-between-what-is-real-and-what-is/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Truth in drama is forever elusive. You never quite find it, but the search for it is compulsive. The search is clearly what drives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/truth-in-drama-is-forever-elusive-you-never-quite-find-it-but-the/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Most of the press is in league with government, or with the status quo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/most-of-the-press-is-in-league-with-government-or-with-the-status-quo/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [Iraq is just a symbol of the attitude of western democracies to the rest of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/iraq-is-just-a-symbol-of-the-attitude-of-western-democracies-to-the/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) [Explore all 138 Harold Pinter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) ## More Blackout quotes > [The sky was a sparkling succession of black diamonds on black velvet made crystal clear by the blackout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/the-sky-was-a-sparkling-succession-of-black-diamonds-on-black-velvet/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [The next time you experience a blackout, take some solace by looking at the sky. You will not recognize it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/the-next-time-you-experience-a-blackout-take-some-solace-by-looking/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [Blackout is the way we feel how the blind people feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/blackout-is-the-way-we-feel-how-the-blind-people-feel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The August 2003 blackout was a wake-up call for both industry and government regulators.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-koppel/the-august-2003-blackout-was-a-wake-up-call-for-both-industry-and/) [Ted Koppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-koppel/) > [I'm from Downer's Grove, Illinois. We had a blackout there the other day, but fortunately the police made him get back into his car…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emo-philips/i-m-from-downer-s-grove-illinois-we-had-a-blackout-there-the-other/) [Emo Philips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emo-philips/) > [The first 'Blackout!' just started out with us doing the first song, 'How High' - I guess it was 'How High' - and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/redman/the-first-blackout-just-started-out-with-us-doing-the-first-song-how/) [Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/redman/) > [I'm supporting the New Orleans economy by maxing out my credit cards in a prolonged blackout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardi-gras/i-m-supporting-the-new-orleans-economy-by-maxing-out-my-credit-cards/) [Mardi Gras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardi-gras/) > [The L. A. Times is reporting that Britney Spears' album Blackout will be number one on the Billboard charts. Not to toot my horn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/the-l-a-times-is-reporting-that-britney-spears-album-blackout-will-be/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [“I don't remember things. I black out and I can't remember where I've been or what I've done. Sometimes I wonder if I've done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-hawkins/i-don-t-remember-things-i-black-out-and-i-can-t-remember-where-i-ve/) [Paula Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-hawkins/) > [“hands, other have Solo cups. Most stand with their hands in their pockets. As we move closer to the crowd, my stomach begins to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-b-nelson/hands-other-have-solo-cups-most-stand-with-their-hands-in-their/) K.B. Nelson > [“Maddie quickly pulled down the blackout curtains over her bright and vulnerable soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/maddie-quickly-pulled-down-the-blackout-curtains-over-her-bright-and/) [Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/) > [Oh my God! It's a blackout!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-michaels/oh-my-god-it-s-a-blackout/) [Shawn Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-michaels/) > [Oh my God, 'Blackout' is my favorite Britney album.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peaches/oh-my-god-blackout-is-my-favorite-britney-album/) [Peaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peaches/) > [May your Valentine's Day dinner have the romantic lighting of a stadium blackout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-your-valentine-s-day-dinner-have-the-romantic-lighting-of-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Breakup blackout is when you're so upset and you've been crying so much that you basically black out for a couple of days. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumer-willis/breakup-blackout-is-when-you-re-so-upset-and-you-ve-been-crying-so/) [Rumer Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumer-willis/) Browse all 40 Blackout quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Listen. You know what it's like when you're in a room with the light on and then suddenly the light goes out? I'll show you. It's like this.\" He turns out the light. 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