“Ritual he liked, but compulsory routine he hated. Thus, he resented every minute that he now had to surrender to showering, shampooing, shaving, and flossing and brushing his teeth. If mere men could devise self-defrosting refrigerators and self-cleaning ovens, why couldn't nature, in all its complex, inventive magnificence, have managed to come up with self-cleaning teeth? "There's birth," he grumbled, "there's death, and in between there's maintenance.”
Quote Analysis:
In this quote from Tom Robbins, the protagonist expresses his disdain for the mundane routine of personal hygiene. He contrasts his enjoyment of ritual with his dislike for compulsory activities such as showering, shampooing, shaving, and dental care. The character questions why nature has not created a more efficient solution for these tasks, pondering the inevitability of maintenance in life between birth and death. This quote reflects a humorous and philosophical take on the necessity of routine in our lives.
Modern Relevance
In this humorous quote from Tom Robbins, the protagonist expresses his frustration with the daily routines of grooming and maintenance. In today's technological age, where convenience and efficiency are highly valued, the idea of self-cleaning teeth may not seem so outlandish. This quote highlights the human desire to streamline tasks and minimize the time spent on mundane activities.
Example of Usage
In Tom Robbins' novel, the character expresses his disdain for mundane tasks like brushing his teeth, wishing for a more efficient solution. He questions why nature couldn't have come up with self-cleaning teeth, highlighting his aversion to routine maintenance.
Reflection Questions
Tom Robbins touches on the idea of routine versus ritual in the passage provided. Reflect on your own daily routines - are there any rituals that you truly enjoy, or do you find yourself resenting the daily maintenance tasks that you have to do?
Consider the concept of "maintenance" in relation to your own life. What do you see as necessary maintenance tasks, and how do you approach them - with resentment, acceptance, or even enjoyment?
Think about the comparison the speaker draws between birth, death, and maintenance. How do you feel about the idea that life is largely made up of these three components? How do you view the everyday maintenance tasks that keep you going between birth and death?
Similar quotes
“Paul went to his room, gathered clean clothes and headed down the hall to the shower. He made it quick, but clean. He shaved. Then he thought, I am shaving—why? To be smooth cheeked when I pass out?”
“Okay, basics. The three S’s: shower, shit, and shave—every man could do that in his sleep. So he did. He managed his complete morning routine in a mental and emotional coma.”
“Although his teeth were so prominent, I think he had a lovely smile. He became self-conscious and embarrassed only when he was having a really hearty laugh - when he guffawed like a donkey and showed all his teeth off. Then his hand would fly to hide the lower part of his face.”
“He was only thirty-eight. His body was clean, well-fed, and benign. He had all his teeth. A fresh Armenian joke stirred in his head like a child in its mother's womb. He thought life was wonderful.”
“He loved Arthur and he loved Guenever and he hated himself. The best knight of the world: everybody envied the self-esteem which must surely be his. But Lancelot never believed he was good or nice. Under the grotesque, magnificent shell with a face like Quasimodo's, there was shame and self-loathing which had been planted there when he was tiny, by something which it is now too late to trace.”