Show me a hero and I'll write you a tragedy.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that even heroes have flaws and tragic stories beneath their heroic facade.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's quote implies that the perception of a hero is often accompanied by an underlying tragedy or complexity. It highlights the idea that heroism is not just about noble acts but also about the personal struggles and imperfections that define individuals. The contrast between heroism and tragedy serves as a reminder that every person, no matter how revered, has a story that includes suffering and flaws.
In practice
You could use this quote in a discussion about the complexities of celebrity culture.
Don't be so anxious about it,' she laughed. 'I'm not used to being loved. I wouldn't know what to do; I never got the trick of it.' She looked down at him, shy and fatigued. 'So here we are. I told you years ago that I had the makings of Cinderella.' He took her hand; she drew it back instinctively and then replaced it in his. 'Beg your pardon. Not even used to being touched. But I'm not afraid of you, if you stay quiet and don't move suddenly.
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
It was about then [1920] that I wrote a line which certain people will not let me forget: "She was a faded but still lovely woman of twenty-seven."
The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.
But you can love more than just one person, can't you?
A sudden gust of rain blew over them and then another - as if small liquid clouds were bouncing along the land. Lightning entered the sea far off and the air blew full of crackling thunder. The table cloths blew around the pillars. They blew and blew and blew. The flags twisted around the red chairs like live things, the banners were ragged, the corners of the table tore off through the burbling billowing ends of the cloths.
With an open mind, seek and listen to all the highest ideals. Consider the most enlightened thoughts. Then choose your path, person by person, each for oneself.
The Word of fire burns today On the lips of our prophets in an evil age.
Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.
Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself.
Here's the truth about telling stories with your life. It's going to sound like a great idea, and you're going to get excited about it, and then when it comes time to do the work, you're not going to want to do it. It's like that with writing books, and it's like that with life. People love to have lived a great story, but few people like the work it takes to make it happen. But joy costs pain.
The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for.
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