Clark gable Quote by Emily St. John Mandel
““I've been thinking lately about immortality. What it means to be remembered, what I want to be remembered for, certain questions concerning memory and fame. I love watching old movies. I watch the faces of long-dead actors on the screen, and I think about how they'll never truly die. I know that's a cliché but it happens to be true. Not just the famous ones who everyone knows, the Clark Gables, the Ava Gardners, but the bit players, the maid carrying the tray, the butler, the cowboys in the bar, the third girl from the left in the nightclub. They're all immortal to me. First we only want to be seen, but once we're seen, that's not enough anymore. After that, we want to be remembered. (187)””
About This Quote
Source Interview: discussion on mortality and memory, 2023
Fame and art give a form of immortality, but true lasting impact comes from being remembered beyond fame
In simple terms: Remembering others gives them a kind of eternal life
Value how you affect others, not just fame
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing memoirs
- preserving histories
- creating lasting art
- teaching about memory
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be remembered?
- How does art preserve a person’s essence?
Fame can be fleeting; not everyone will be remembered equally