--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Yes,” said Cooley. “That is the question…" description: "\"“Yes,” said Cooley. “That is the question, as the Bard might say.” “The Bard?” “What’s so funny?” said Cooley. “Nothing, sir,” I said. “I just didn’t k..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36d/sam-lipsyte-11160_quote_yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as_2806837.jpg" --- # Yes,” said Cooley. “That is the question, as the Bard… ![“Yes,” said Cooley. “That is the question, as the Bard might say.” “The Bard?” “What’s so funny?” said Cooley. “Nothing, sir,” I said. “I just didn’t know people still used that term.” “Well, I’m a people, Burke. Am I not?” “Of course.” “If you prick me, do I not bleed, you scat-gobbling…” quote by Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36d/sam-lipsyte-11160_quote_yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as_2806837.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36d/sam-lipsyte-11160_quote_yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as_2806837.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36d/sam-lipsyte-11160_quote_yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as_2806837.jpg) > ““Yes,” said Cooley. “That is the question, as the Bard might say.” “The Bard?” “What’s so funny?” said Cooley. “Nothing, sir,” I said. “I just didn’t know people still used that term.” “Well, I’m a people, Burke. Am I not?” “Of course.” “If you prick me, do I not bleed, you scat-gobbling, mother-rimming prick?” Occasionally Dean Cooley reverted to a vocabulary more suited to his marine years, but some maintained it was only when he felt threatened, or stretched for time. “Yes, sir,” I said.”” [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character uses exaggerated, vulgar language to highlight social pretensions and personal insecurity, revealing how humor masks deeper anxieties. **In simple terms:** Coarse jokes hide deeper insecurities. Key Takeaway Recognize when humor is a defense. Themes humor identity insecurity language class Mood ironic critical defensive Type satirical dialogue When to use this quote - conversation with a superior - literary critique - coping with threat Key Concepts social performance defense mechanisms linguistic bravado Questions to Reflect On - What does the coarse language reveal about the speaker’s self? - How does humor serve as a shield? A Different Perspective The vulgarity may alienate readers and obscure the underlying critique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bard Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bard-say-3491424/) [Cooley Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooley-question-3491425/) [Question Bard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-bard-3491423/) [Quote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quote/) [Said Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-cooley-3491421/) [Say Bard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-bard-3491422/) ## Related quotes > [“You’re growing up. All you need to remember is that nothing changes. New technology, new markets, global interconnectivity, doesn’t matter. It’s still the rulers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/you-re-growing-up-all-you-need-to-remember-is-that-nothing-changes/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddhist-proverb/the-lotus-flower-blooms-most-beautifully-from-the-deepest-and/) [Buddhist proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddhist-proverb/) > [“I've never written a quote I feel would be suitable for my gravestone. Wouldn't it be ironic if it were this one? Oh, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-lilly/i-ve-never-written-a-quote-i-feel-would-be-suitable-for-my-gravestone/) [Ryan Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-lilly/) > [“Today, I am doing well in every aspect of my life. But, this is only because I've realized that I can do it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohith-agadi/today-i-am-doing-well-in-every-aspect-of-my-life-but-this-is-only/) [Mohith Agadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohith-agadi/) > [Every quote is a sign, Just like how every person has a ability, you can use it to make a change in life. 8)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-quote-is-a-sign-just-like-how-every-person-has-a-ability-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Desires and wishes don’t lead to success. Plans and efforts do. Create a vision, chalk out an action plan, put in your best efforts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roopleen/desires-and-wishes-don-t-lead-to-success-plans-and-efforts-do-create/) [Roopleen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roopleen/) > [“Melupakan berarti berusaha menghapus kenangan, sedangkan merelakan berarti belajar melepaskan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irin-sintriana/melupakan-berarti-berusaha-menghapus-kenangan-sedangkan-merelakan/) [Irin Sintriana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irin-sintriana/) > [“On Dreams Only one thing supersedes the importance of thinking about a better tomorrow. It's taking action today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-lowry/on-dreams-only-one-thing-supersedes-the-importance-of-thinking-about/) [Vincent Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-lowry/) > [“Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread that is not a twist of these two strands.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emerson/old-and-new-make-the-warp-and-woof-of-every-moment-there-is-no-thread/) [Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emerson/) > [“No thanky-you; you can't overcome hatred with more hatred. Force can kill the liar but not the lie, the hater but not the hate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-sheldon/no-thanky-you-you-can-t-overcome-hatred-with-more-hatred-force-can/) [Joss Sheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-sheldon/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“She is a woman, how can you confuse her for a man?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-d-gonsalves/she-is-a-woman-how-can-you-confuse-her-for-a-man/) [Gloria D. Gonsalves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-d-gonsalves/) > [“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars." ... quote has been credited to Les Brown.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylviek/shoot-for-the-moon-even-if-you-miss-it-you-will-land-among-the-stars/) [Sylviek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylviek/) > [Find time, spread love, don't hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/find-time-spread-love-don-t-hate/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I have traveled widely. I have seen this country in its infancy. I tell you what it will become. The public squares will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-carey/i-have-traveled-widely-i-have-seen-this-country-in-its-infancy-i-tell/) [Peter Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-carey/) ## More by Sam Lipsyte > [When you work at home, fellow alums, discipline is the supreme virtue. Suicidal self-loathing lurks behind every coffee break. Activities must be expertly scheduled,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/when-you-work-at-home-fellow-alums-discipline-is-the-supreme-virtue/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“It was early, late, lockjaw hour.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/it-was-early-late-lockjaw-hour/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [You think you know yourself, the world. You believe you've got a bead on everybody else's bullshit, but what about your own?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/you-think-you-know-yourself-the-world-you-believe-you-ve-got-a-bead/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“Our friendship, for example, and how quickly we passed through each other, from fascinated strangers to loyal chums to relics of each other's world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/our-friendship-for-example-and-how-quickly-we-passed-through-each/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [I'd become one of those mistakes you sometimes find in an office, a not unpleasant but mostly unproductive presence bobbing along on the energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/i-d-become-one-of-those-mistakes-you-sometimes-find-in-an-office-a/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“Tomorrow she’d look up tattoo removal. They were doing big things with lasers now. When Cal was just a little more stable, she’d break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/tomorrow-she-d-look-up-tattoo-removal-they-were-doing-big-things-with/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“I looked for Gary in all of the Gary places, but I was too early. These places were all haunted by the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/i-looked-for-gary-in-all-of-the-gary-places-but-i-was-too-early-these/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [Dept. of Speculation is gorgeous, funny, a profound and profoundly moving work of art. Jenny Offill is a master of form and feeling, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/dept-of-speculation-is-gorgeous-funny-a-profound-and-profoundly/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“The Rough Beast snorted. “You don’t get it at all, buddy. It’s not about wrestling. It’s about stories. We’re storytellers.” Caperton studied him. “Somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/the-rough-beast-snorted-you-don-t-get-it-at-all-buddy-it-s-not-about/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“I needed to talk to Vargina, to straighten this out, but felt suddenly faint, headed for the deli across the street. Just standing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/i-needed-to-talk-to-vargina-to-straighten-this-out-but-felt-suddenly/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [“You’re growing up. All you need to remember is that nothing changes. New technology, new markets, global interconnectivity, doesn’t matter. It’s still the rulers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/you-re-growing-up-all-you-need-to-remember-is-that-nothing-changes/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [I'm a citizen of the republic of empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/i-m-a-citizen-of-the-republic-of-empathy/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [This country was built on the backs of dudes who drank on buses. What we do honors them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/this-country-was-built-on-the-backs-of-dudes-who-drank-on-buses-what/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [The bullshit never ends. That’s the main thing to remember. It never ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/the-bullshit-never-ends-that-s-the-main-thing-to-remember-it-never/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [Stuff me in a tutu and let's screen experimental videos all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/stuff-me-in-a-tutu-and-let-s-screen-experimental-videos-all-day/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) [Explore all 61 Sam Lipsyte quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) ## More Quote quotes > [“I have traveled widely. I have seen this country in its infancy. I tell you what it will become. The public squares will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-carey/i-have-traveled-widely-i-have-seen-this-country-in-its-infancy-i-tell/) [Peter Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-carey/) > [Find time, spread love, don't hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/find-time-spread-love-don-t-hate/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars." ... quote has been credited to Les Brown.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylviek/shoot-for-the-moon-even-if-you-miss-it-you-will-land-among-the-stars/) [Sylviek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylviek/) > [“She is a woman, how can you confuse her for a man?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-d-gonsalves/she-is-a-woman-how-can-you-confuse-her-for-a-man/) [Gloria D. Gonsalves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-d-gonsalves/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“No thanky-you; you can't overcome hatred with more hatred. Force can kill the liar but not the lie, the hater but not the hate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-sheldon/no-thanky-you-you-can-t-overcome-hatred-with-more-hatred-force-can/) [Joss Sheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-sheldon/) > [“Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread that is not a twist of these two strands.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emerson/old-and-new-make-the-warp-and-woof-of-every-moment-there-is-no-thread/) [Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emerson/) > [“On Dreams Only one thing supersedes the importance of thinking about a better tomorrow. It's taking action today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-lowry/on-dreams-only-one-thing-supersedes-the-importance-of-thinking-about/) [Vincent Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-lowry/) > [“Melupakan berarti berusaha menghapus kenangan, sedangkan merelakan berarti belajar melepaskan.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irin-sintriana/melupakan-berarti-berusaha-menghapus-kenangan-sedangkan-merelakan/) [Irin Sintriana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irin-sintriana/) > [“Desires and wishes don’t lead to success. Plans and efforts do. Create a vision, chalk out an action plan, put in your best efforts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roopleen/desires-and-wishes-don-t-lead-to-success-plans-and-efforts-do-create/) [Roopleen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roopleen/) > [Every quote is a sign, Just like how every person has a ability, you can use it to make a change in life. 8)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-quote-is-a-sign-just-like-how-every-person-has-a-ability-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Today, I am doing well in every aspect of my life. But, this is only because I've realized that I can do it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohith-agadi/today-i-am-doing-well-in-every-aspect-of-my-life-but-this-is-only/) [Mohith Agadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohith-agadi/) > [“I've never written a quote I feel would be suitable for my gravestone. Wouldn't it be ironic if it were this one? Oh, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-lilly/i-ve-never-written-a-quote-i-feel-would-be-suitable-for-my-gravestone/) [Ryan Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-lilly/) > [“The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddhist-proverb/the-lotus-flower-blooms-most-beautifully-from-the-deepest-and/) [Buddhist proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddhist-proverb/) > [“Drooling over an African figure that I could never have, I feasted my eyes upon the swaying mounds of my fellow African sisters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-d-gonsalves/drooling-over-an-african-figure-that-i-could-never-have-i-feasted-my/) [Gloria D. Gonsalves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-d-gonsalves/) [Browse all 1,963 Quote quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quote/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Yes,” said Cooley. “That is the question, as the Bard might say.” “The Bard?” “What’s so funny?” said Cooley. “Nothing, sir,” I said. “I just didn’t know people still used that term.” “Well, I’m a people, Burke. Am I not?” “Of course.” “If you prick me, do I not bleed, you scat-gobbling, mother-rimming prick?” Occasionally Dean Cooley reverted to a vocabulary more suited to his marine years, but some maintained it was only when he felt threatened, or stretched for time. “Yes, sir,” I said.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sam Lipsyte" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as-the-bard-might-say-the-bard/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Quote" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as-the-bard-might-say-the-bard/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36d/sam-lipsyte-11160_quote_yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as_2806837.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36d/sam-lipsyte-11160_quote_yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as_2806837.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/36d/sam-lipsyte-11160_quote_yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as_2806837.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Yes,” said Cooley. “That is the question, as the Bard might say.” “The Bard?” “What’s so funny?” said…” — Sam Lipsyte", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sam Lipsyte", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Yes,” said Cooley. “That is the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as-the-bard-might-say-the-bard/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/yes-said-cooley-that-is-the-question-as-the-bard-might-say-the-bard/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```