Fingerprints Quote by Paul Theroux
““I want to know the age. The sex. Most of all, the fingerprints. I'd like to identify who it is. After he had agreed, and I had left the office, walking to calm myself, I thought: And who am I? Please tell me who I am and what I'm doing.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux, 1981
The narrator seeks to understand identity by gathering personal details, then questions his own self‑knowledge and purpose.
In simple terms: He wants to know others but wonders who he is.
Reflect on how seeking others' data reveals your own identity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- investigations
- personal interviews
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does knowing others tell you about yourself?
- How do you define identity beyond external data?
Knowing facts about others may not clarify your own purpose.