Computers Quote by Maureen Johnson
““When she emerged, Keith was watching the tiny round window of the under-the-counter washing machine. "Put your clothes in for a wash," he said. "They were disgusting." Ginny always thought that the only way of getting clothes clean was by drowning them in scalding water and then whipping them around in a violent centrifugal motion that caused the entire washing machine to vibrate and the floor to shake. You beat them clean. You made them suffer. This machine used about half a cup of water and was about as violent as a toaster, plus it stopped every few minutes, as if it were exhausted from the effort of turning itself. Sluff, sluff, sluff sluff. Rest. Rest. Rest. Click. Sluff, sluff, sluff, sluff. Rest. Rest. Rest. "Who thought to put a window on a washing machine?" Keith asked. "Does anyone just sit and watch their wash?" You mean, besides us?" "Well," he said, "yeah. Is there any coffee?””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Girl Who Loved the Machine” by Maureen Johnson, 2015
The narrative juxtaposes mundane chores with violent imagery, highlighting how language can dramatize everyday tasks.
In simple terms: Language can make ordinary things seem dramatic.
Key Takeaway
Notice the tone you use for daily tasks.
Themes
language
drama
mundane
perception
humor
Mood
playful
ironic
Type
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- washing clothes
- writing
- storytelling
- creative expression
Key Concepts
literary style
metaphor
contrast
Questions to Reflect On
- Why dramatize a simple chore?
- What effect does this tone have on the reader?
A Different Perspective
Overly dramatic language may distract from practicality.
