--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tom gets by, Navidson succeeds. Tom just…" description: "\"Tom gets by, Navidson succeeds. Tom just wants to be, Navidson must become. And yet despite such obvious differences, anyone who looks past Tom's wide ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/mark-z-danielewski-2497_brother_tom-gets-by-navidson-succeeds-tom-just-w_2736364.png" --- # Tom gets by, Navidson succeeds. Tom just wants to be… ![“Tom gets by, Navidson succeeds. Tom just wants to be, Navidson must become. And yet despite such obvious differences, anyone who looks past Tom's wide grin and considers his eyes will find surprisingly deep pools of sorrow. Which is how we know they are brothers, because like Tom, Navidson's eyes…” quote by Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/mark-z-danielewski-2497_brother_tom-gets-by-navidson-succeeds-tom-just-w_2736364.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/mark-z-danielewski-2497_brother_tom-gets-by-navidson-succeeds-tom-just-w_2736364.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/487/mark-z-danielewski-2497_brother_tom-gets-by-navidson-succeeds-tom-just-w_2736364.png) > “Tom gets by, Navidson succeeds. Tom just wants to be, Navidson must become. And yet despite such obvious differences, anyone who looks past Tom's wide grin and considers his eyes will find surprisingly deep pools of sorrow. Which is how we know they are brothers, because like Tom, Navidson's eyes share the same water.” [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts two characters' approaches to existence, revealing hidden sorrow behind a seemingly carefree exterior, and suggests a shared emotional depth. **In simple terms:** Two brothers appear different but share deep sorrow. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden pain in outwardly happy people. Themes identity family appearance empathy Mood melancholy reflective Type literary analytical When to use this quote - family therapy - character analysis - literary discussion Key Concepts psychology symbolism dualism Questions to Reflect On - How does outward joy mask inner grief? - What does shared sorrow reveal about kinship? A Different Perspective The comparison may oversimplify complex personalities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Brotherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brotherhood/) [Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brothers/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [I do like Tom Petty an awful lot. I always say that he's my real father, but I'm joking in that imaginary orphan way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-ricci/i-do-like-tom-petty-an-awful-lot-i-always-say-that-he-s-my-real/) [Christina Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-ricci/) > [Some relations are just like Tom and Jerry. They tease each other. Knock down each other. Irritate each other. But, Can not live without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aisha/some-relations-are-just-like-tom-and-jerry-they-tease-each-other/) [Aisha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aisha/) > [Some relationships are like Tom and Jerry. They tease each other..They knock each other down, But they cant live without each other](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/some-relationships-are-like-tom-and-jerry-they-tease-each-other-they/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [Some relations are Like Tom & Jerry...They chase each other, Irritate each other, argue and fight with each other...But They can't live without each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subrata/some-relations-are-like-tom-jerry-they-chase-each-other-irritate-each/) [Subrata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subrata/) > [“Me, too...Huh, maybe I do like Tom Cruise. But I hate feeling pressured to find him attractive. 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