Old lady, if I die I'd like you to do one small thing for…
““Old lady, if I die I'd like you to do one small thing for me. I want you to build a one-hundred-acre museum dedicated to my memory. Bronze my clothing and possessions. Have at least three hundred marble statues erected of me in my most dashing poses. One of these statues should stand one hundred feet tall and greet ships as they float down the Hudson River. One of the fourteen wings of the museum should have an amusement park with the world's fastest roller coaster inside. None of these rides should be equipped with safety devices. You can license some of the space to fast-food restaurants and ice-cream parlors but nothing should be healthy or nutritious. The gift shop should sell stuffed Puck dolls packed with broken glass and asbestos. There's a more detailed list in my room." Puck saidduble””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A character requests an extravagant, dangerous, and unhealthy memorial, highlighting excess and absurdity.
In simple terms: A bizarre request for a massive, unsafe museum and rides.
Key Takeaway
Beware of overindulgence and harmful extravagance.
Themes
excess
absurdity
danger
consumerism
legacy
Mood
darkly humorous
critical
satirical
Type
cautionary
ironic
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- theme park design
- urban planning
- public safety
- marketing
- legacy building
Key Concepts
memorialization
commercialization
risk
masochism
Questions to Reflect On
- What motives drive extreme self‑celebration?
- How do we balance commemoration with responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Such grandiose projects can cause real harm and waste resources.