Bed Quote by Jonathan Safran Foer
“In bed that night I invented a special drain that would be underneath every pillow in New York, and would connect to the reservoir. Whenever people cried themselves to sleep, the tears would all go to the same place, and in the morning the weatherman could report if the water level of the Reservoir of Tears had gone up or down, and you could know if New York is in heavy boots.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, 2005
A fictional device that collects collective sorrow, symbolizing shared grief and hope for relief.
In simple terms: A drain gathers all tears into one reservoir.
Key Takeaway
Recognize shared pain and seek collective healing.
Themes
grief
empathy
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- mental health support
- artistic expression
- community solidarity
Key Concepts
psychology
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we metaphorically “drain” collective sorrow?
- What real‑world actions echo this concept?
A Different Perspective
The idea is fantastical and not practically feasible.
![“Leave a cavity behind the [wall] facings, and on the inside build walls two feet thick, made of red dimension stone or burnt brick or lava in courses, and then bind them to the fronts by means of iron clamps and lead. The beds and builds, all settling equally and bonded at the joints, will not let…” quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d76/marcus-vitruvius-pollio-7498_bed_leave-a-cavity-behind-the-wall-facings-a_5922.jpg)
