In this excerpt from "Homo Faber" by Max Frisch, the character reflects on her work, which involves repairing broken pieces of history. She illustrates her role by describing how she restores what remains of a once intact vase from Crete, symbolizing her efforts to reassemble fragments of the past. This act of patching things together represents a deeper connection to history and the remnants of human experience.

The metaphor of restoring a vase highlights the fragility of time and memory. Just as the vase has been shattered, so too are people's lives and histories marked by loss and repair. Her work is not only about physical restoration but also about understanding and preserving the essence of what has come before. It invites readers to consider how we all attempt to piece together our own pasts, even when faced with disarray.