Billboards Quote by Paul Schrader
“You know, when you're in your twenties you use a great deal of symbolism. You somehow think that a character standing beneath a cross is more interesting than a character standing underneath a billboard, but when you get a little older you realize that there's not much difference.”
About This Quote
Symbolic imagery evolves with age; early symbolism feels profound but later feels equivalent.
In simple terms: Symbolism loses novelty with maturity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that meaning is personal, not tied to symbols.
Themes
art
symbolism
growth
perception
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- film critique
- visual arts
- personal growth
Key Concepts
literary analysis
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your perception of symbols change over time?
- Do symbols still affect you?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on symbols can distract from substance.
![“All these teachers and [screenwriting] books mean you see movies that have been worked over by more committees wielding more rules, that all originality and authorship is lost. That's why you're seeing superstars like Brad Pitt in THE FIGHT CLUB and Tom Cruise in MAGNOLIA. They're desperately…” quote by Paul Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e40/paul-schrader-14587_authorship_all-these-teachers-and-screenwriting-boo_176880.jpg)
