Book of revelation Quote by in a commencement speech to Vassar College Tony Kushner
““If you meant to invite me, and let's proceed from that assumption, then you wanted a playwright, and I have to say what a strange choice, what with Gabriel blowing his trumpet and the Book of Revelation unfolding seal by seal and all; it's as if you'd been warned of years of calamity and famine ahead and in response you anxiously stuffed an after-dinner mint in your pocket.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commencement at Vassar College, 2021
A vivid, chaotic metaphor about being warned of disaster, using biblical imagery to illustrate unexpected challenges.
In simple terms: Unexpected warnings can feel overwhelming.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty with humor.
Themes
creativity
warning
apocalypse
artistic expression
literature
Mood
provocative
playful
Type
poetic
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing workshops
- art criticism
- theatre productions
- personal crises
Key Concepts
symbolism
narrative imagination
cultural references
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you interpret symbolic warnings?
- Can humor help process anxiety?
A Different Perspective
Metaphors may obscure practical advice.
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