"The Photograph is concerned with the power that the past has to interfere with the present: the time bomb in the cupboard"

Penelope Lively's quote from "The Picture" metaphorically analyzes how previous experiences and hidden memories can apply impact over present situations, similar to a "time bomb in the cabinet". This images recommends the hidden power and prospective disruption that can arise from the past, concealed yet ever-looming, waiting to take off into today.

The "picture" works as a tangible representation of memories and history. It is a snapshot of a minute in time, capturing feelings and events that, while stationary and apparently forgotten, keep their effectiveness and importance. In this context, the photo signifies the enduring effect of previous actions and decisions, acting as a pointer that what is apparently buried or forgotten can resurface unexpectedly.

By explaining the past as a "time bomb", Lively highlights its potential to trigger upheaval. This metaphor includes both the inevitability and the unpredictability of such disturbances. Like a time bomb, the past is set to a timer unknown to those around it, suggesting that the results of past actions and feelings are often felt in unanticipated ways and at unforeseen moments. It underscores the idea that the past's grip on today is not passive; rather, it is active and often even devastating.

Additionally, the existence of the "cabinet" indicates secrecy and concealment. It represents the compartments of our lives where we save away memories, traumas, and regret, hoping they will stay out of sight and mind. However, the cabinet can not contain the ever-ticking threat of unresolved issues. The imagery welcomes reflection on the requirement of challenging and fixing up with the past to prevent possible conflict or distress in the future.

In essence, Lively's quote encapsulates the style of how unexamined pasts are capable of undermining the stability of the present, urging self-questioning and recommendation in the navigation of one's personal history.