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Bulbs Quote by James Thurber

“My grandmother lived the latter years of her life in the horrible suspicion that electricity was dripping invisibly all over the house. It leaked, she contended, out of empty sockets if the wall switch had been left on. She would go around screwing in bulbs, and if they lighted up, she would…” quote by James Thurber
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“My grandmother lived the latter years of her life in the horrible suspicion that electricity was dripping invisibly all over the house. It leaked, she contended, out of empty sockets if the wall switch had been left on. She would go around screwing in bulbs, and if they lighted up, she would fearfully turn off the wall switch and go back to her Pearson's or Everybody's, happy in the satisfaction that she had stopped not only a costly but dangerous leakage. nothing could ever clear this up for her.”

James Thurber

About This Quote

Source Short story “The Electrician’s Fear”, 1935

An elderly woman irrationally fears electricity leaks, illustrating how anxiety can distort reality.

In simple terms: She fears invisible electric leaks.

Key Takeaway

Question irrational fears.

Themes

anxiety irrational belief humor

Mood

empathetic lighthearted

Type

literary reflective

When to use this quote

  • healthcare discussions
  • family caregiving
  • mental health advocacy

Key Concepts

psychology fear management elder care

Questions to Reflect On

  • What fears seem irrational to you?
  • How can you help others confront such fears?
A Different Perspective

May trivialize genuine concerns.

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