Firsts Quote by Steven Wright
“I was in the first submarine. Instead of a periscope, they had a kaleidoscope. "We're surrounded."”
About This Quote
Source Stand‑up routine, 1995
A submarine’s periscope replaced by a kaleidoscope creates absurd, surreal tension.
In simple terms: Submarine has a kaleidoscope, not a periscope, creating absurdity.
Key Takeaway
Embrace absurdity to highlight reality.
Themes
humor
absurdity
surrealism
technology
Mood
playful
surreal
Type
comedic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- comedy shows
- military satire
- art installations
Key Concepts
visual metaphor
paradox
comedic tension
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the kaleidoscope symbolize?
- How does absurdity reveal truth?
A Different Perspective
May be misunderstood as literal.
![“On the periscope . . . . What a beautiful view. Cloud cover over Florida - three to four tenths near the eastern coast. Obscured up to Hatteras . . . I can see [lake] Okeechobee. Identify Andros Island. Identify the reefs.” quote by Alan Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9e9/alan-shepard-11358_beautiful_on-the-periscope-what-a-beautiful-view-c_2097146.jpg)
![“To work with Richard [Ayoade] is my favourite thing in the world. He is my favourite person. So, it was great for me to be involved in a project that was, again, so different and with such wonderful actors. Everyone from Submarine is in the film in one way or another, which helps because it really…” quote by Yasmin Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8a0/yasmin-paige-18397_actors_to-work-with-richard-ayoade-is-my-favour_298103.jpg)
![“Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and the screenplay of Simon (Beaufoy) and I was reading it, even before the shoot, some kind of sounds came into my mind and I put some stuff [down] and sent it to…” quote by A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/a-r-rahman-4481_cutting_since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-o_539.jpg)
