Always Quote by August Wilson
“I had always been fascinated with Napoleon because he was a self-made emperor; Victor Hugo said, 'Napoleon's will to power,' and it was the title of my paper. And I submitted it to my teacher, and he didn't think I had written it. And he wanted me to explain it to him.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Playwright Discussion, August Wilson, 1995
The speaker admired Napoleon’s ambition, referenced Hugo’s description of his drive, and faced skepticism when presenting his work, prompting deeper explanation.
In simple terms: Admiration, skepticism, and need to explain ideas.
Key Takeaway
Embrace curiosity, clarify misunderstandings.
Themes
history
ambition
literature
education
skepticism
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic presentations
- creative writing workshops
- historical analysis
- teacher‑student dialogue
Key Concepts
leadership
narrative
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we gravitate toward powerful historical figures?
- How can we turn doubt into learning opportunities?
A Different Perspective
The anecdote may be apocryphal or misattributed.
