"Is that true," I asked, "that song?"
"It is a metaphor," said Mrs. Davis, "it has metaphorical truth."
"And the end of the mechanical age," I said, "is that a metaphor?"
"The end of the mechanical age," said Mrs. Davis, "is in my judgment an actuality straining to become a metaphor. One must wish it luck, I suppose. One must cheer it on. Intellectual rigor demands that we give these damned metaphors every chance, even if they are inimical to personal well-being and comfort. We have a duty to understand everything, whether we like it or not–a duty I would scant if I could." At that moment the water jumped into the boat and sank us.


"At The End Of The Mechanical Age". - Sixty Stories (1981)

Donald Barthelme Quotes

Is that true, I asked, that song? It is a metaphor, said Mrs. Davis, it has metaphorical truth. And the end of the mechanical age, I said, is that a...

Is that true, I asked, that song? It is a metaphor, said Mrs. Davis, it has metaphorical truth. And the end of the mechanical age, I said, is that a...

Is that true, I asked, that song? It is a metaphor, said Mrs. Davis, it has metaphorical truth. And the end of the mechanical age, I said, is that a...

Is that true, I asked, that song? It is a metaphor, said Mrs. Davis, it has metaphorical truth. And the end of the mechanical age, I said, is that a...