City lights Quote by Terry Pratchett Pratchett
““And give me some coffee. Black as midnight on a moonless night." Harga looked surprised. That wasn't like Vimes. "How black's that, then?" he said. "Oh, pretty damn black, I should think." "Not necessarily." "What?" "You get more stars on a moonless night. Stands to reason. They show up more. It can be quite bright on a moonless night." Vimes sighed. "An overcast moonless night?" he said. Harga looked carefully at his coffee pot. "Cumulus or cirro-nimbus?" "I'm sorry? What did you say?" "You get city lights reflected off cumulus, because it's low lying, see. Mind you, you can get high-altitude scatter off the ice crystals in--" "A moonless night," said Vimes, in a hollow voice, "that is as black as coffee.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld – "Going Postal", 2004
A character uses coffee’s darkness as a metaphor for night, exploring perception and the interplay of light and shadow.
In simple terms: Coffee’s blackness is likened to a moonless night, highlighting how darkness can still reveal stars.
Key Takeaway
Use vivid analogies to reveal hidden details.
Themes
imagination
perception
light
darkness
metaphor
Mood
playful
thoughtful
Type
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- describing coffee
- discussing night skies
- writing dialogue
- teaching perception
Key Concepts
symbolic contrast
visual metaphor
language play
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday objects can illustrate complex ideas?
- How does darkness enhance appreciation of light?
A Different Perspective
Overly elaborate metaphors may confuse rather than clarify.
