I thought, 'There are a lot of poets who have the courage to look into the abyss, but there are very few who have the courage to look happiness in the face and write about it,' which is what I wanted to be able to do.
Kenneth KochRead
Marilyn always dreamt of being an actress. She didn't, by the way, dream of being just a star. She dreamt of being an actress. And she had always lived somehow with that dream. And that is why, despite the fact that she became one of the most unusual and outstanding stars of all time, she herself was never satisfied. When she came to New York, she began to perceive the possibilities of really accomplishing her dream, of being an actress.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the distinction between the aspirations of an actress and the superficiality of fame.
Lee Strasberg is emphasizing that Marilyn Monroe's true ambition was to be a talented actress rather than merely a glamorous star. Despite her incredible success and recognition, she felt an inner dissatisfaction because her dreams were deeper than the fame that surrounded her. This highlights the difference between achieving fame and fulfilling one's true artistic passion.
Themes
DreamActressArtSatisfactionFame
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about pursuing your passions, this quote can illustrate the importance of focusing on one's true aspirations.
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