Bread Quote by Jennifer Egan
““With a sudden pressure heralded by pricks of sweat along my drastically receding hairline, I swab the bottom of my salad plate with a vast hunk of bread and jam it into my mouth like a dentist packing a tooth. And just then-ah yes-I feel the niggling onset of a sneeze; here it comes, Hail Mary, bread or no bread, nothing can halt the shouting simultaneous eruption of every cavity in my head.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Marriage Plot by Jennifer Egan, 2011
A vivid description of a sudden, overwhelming urge to sneeze, likened to a chaotic, unstoppable force that disrupts ordinary actions.
In simple terms: A sneeze can feel uncontrollable and all‑consuming.
Key Takeaway
Accept the moment, then let it pass.
Themes
physiology
humor
discomfort
Mood
amused
frustrated
vivid
Type
narrative
humorous
descriptive
When to use this quote
- eating
- social gatherings
- stressful meetings
- public speaking
Key Concepts
sensory overload
bodily reflex
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you usually react when a sneeze catches you off guard?
- What does this description reveal about the narrator’s state of mind?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may exaggerate the experience, making it seem more dramatic than typical sneezes.
