--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to pride myself on being…" description: "\"I used to pride myself on being impervious to the sentimentalities of soap opera, but when that loveliest of actresses, Rachel Gurney, of Upstairs, Dow..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/s-j-perelman-17797_actresses_i-used-to-pride-myself-on-being-impervio_1325198.png" --- # I used to pride myself on being impervious to the… ![“I used to pride myself on being impervious to the sentimentalities of soap opera, but when that loveliest of actresses, Rachel Gurney, of Upstairs, Downstairs, perished on the Titanic, I wept so convulsively and developed such anorexia that I had to be force-fed.” quote by S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/s-j-perelman-17797_actresses_i-used-to-pride-myself-on-being-impervio_1325198.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/s-j-perelman-17797_actresses_i-used-to-pride-myself-on-being-impervio_1325198.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64a/s-j-perelman-17797_actresses_i-used-to-pride-myself-on-being-impervio_1325198.png) > “I used to pride myself on being impervious to the sentimentalities of soap opera, but when that loveliest of actresses, Rachel Gurney, of Upstairs, Downstairs, perished on the Titanic, I wept so convulsively and developed such anorexia that I had to be force-fed.” [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even a skeptic can be emotionally overwhelmed by tragedy, revealing hidden vulnerabilities. **In simple terms:** Even skeptics can be moved by loss. Key Takeaway Acknowledge unexpected emotions. Themes vulnerability empathy humanity Mood melancholic introspective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - grief counseling - art therapy - self‑reflection - support groups Key Concepts Psychodynamic theory emotional contagion Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your hidden emotions? - How do you cope with unexpected grief? A Different Perspective Denial may mask deeper issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [Anorexia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anorexia/) [Developed Anorexia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/developed-anorexia-4427611/) [Feds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feds/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Impervious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impervious/) [Impervious Sentimentalities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impervious-sentimentalities-4427610/) [Opera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opera/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Sentimentalities Soap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentimentalities-soap-4427613/) [Sentimentality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentimentality/) [Soap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soap/) [Soap opera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soap-opera/) [Soap operas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soap-operas/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Titanic Wept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/titanic-wept-4427612/) [Upstairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upstairs/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Wept Convulsively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wept-convulsively-4427609/) ## Related quotes > [E-books are impervious to analogy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/e-books-are-impervious-to-analogy/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/fear-comes-from-uncertainty-when-we-are-absolutely-certain-whether-of/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [It's such a surprise for the Eastern eyes to see, That though the English are effete They're quite impervious to heat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-coward/it-s-such-a-surprise-for-the-eastern-eyes-to-see-that-though-the/) [Noel Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-coward/) > [No degree of prosperity can be sufficient to eliminate all misfortune, and sloth is impervious to opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/no-degree-of-prosperity-can-be-sufficient-to-eliminate-all-misfortune/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [I gloomily came to the ironic conclusion that if you take a highly intelligent person and give them the best possible, elite education, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halton-arp/i-gloomily-came-to-the-ironic-conclusion-that-if-you-take-a-highly/) [Halton Arp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halton-arp/) > [Nobody is impervious to misfortune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-marcos/nobody-is-impervious-to-misfortune/) [Ferdinand Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-marcos/) > [The believing mind is externally impervious to evidence. The most that can be accomplished with it is to induce it to substitute one delusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-believing-mind-is-externally-impervious-to-evidence-the-most-that/) [H. L. 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She proved incapable of refashioning herself by means of voluntary reform. She showed herself impervious to charm and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/i-have-been-europe-s-last-hope-she-proved-incapable-of-refashioning/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [What's fascinating about the Australians is they have this quality that they are impervious to majesty. They're not awed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hooper/what-s-fascinating-about-the-australians-is-they-have-this-quality/) [Tom Hooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hooper/) > [I'm a five-seasons griller! Did you know I added a new season? Living in Cali, I'm cooking in the yard all the time. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-fieri/i-m-a-five-seasons-griller-did-you-know-i-added-a-new-season-living/) [Guy Fieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-fieri/) ## More by S. J. Perelman > [The fact is that all of us have only one personality, and we wring it out like a dishtowel. You are what you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/the-fact-is-that-all-of-us-have-only-one-personality-and-we-wring-it/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [We old roosters must be cautious. Don't try to outwit your arteries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/we-old-roosters-must-be-cautious-don-t-try-to-outwit-your-arteries/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [There is something about a home aquarium which sets my teeth on edge the moment I see it. Why anyone would want to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/there-is-something-about-a-home-aquarium-which-sets-my-teeth-on-edge/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [FREEDLEY: Will I feel better after I take it? DR. FITCH (coldly): I, am a physician, Freedley, not an astrologer. If you want a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/freedley-will-i-feel-better-after-i-take-it-dr-fitch-coldly-i-am-a/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [A basic ingredient in the manufacture of perfume, the attar-a heavy, pale-yellow oil stored in small metal drums-had been put up as collateral by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/a-basic-ingredient-in-the-manufacture-of-perfume-the-attar-a-heavy/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [There are nineteen words in Yiddish that convey gradations of disparagement, from a mild, fluttery helplessness to a state of downright, irreconcilable brutishness. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/there-are-nineteen-words-in-yiddish-that-convey-gradations-of/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [Fate was dealing from the bottom of the deck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/fate-was-dealing-from-the-bottom-of-the-deck/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [Tomatoes and squash never fail to reach maturity. You can spray them with acid, beat them with sticks and burn them; they love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/tomatoes-and-squash-never-fail-to-reach-maturity-you-can-spray-them/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [I tried to resist his overtures, but he plied me with symphonies, quartets, chamber music, and cantatas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/i-tried-to-resist-his-overtures-but-he-plied-me-with-symphonies/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [I'm half Scotch-Irish on both sides, and when I lose my temper-brother, I go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/i-m-half-scotch-irish-on-both-sides-and-when-i-lose-my-temper-brother/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [I loathe writing. On the other hand I'm a great believer in money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/i-loathe-writing-on-the-other-hand-i-m-a-great-believer-in-money/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [English life, while very pleasant, is rather bland. I expected kindness and gentility and I found it, but there is such a thing as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/english-life-while-very-pleasant-is-rather-bland-i-expected-kindness/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [Only the scenario writers are exempt. These are tied between the tails of two spirited Caucasian ponies, which are then driven off in opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/only-the-scenario-writers-are-exempt-these-are-tied-between-the-tails/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [To err is human, to forgive supine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/to-err-is-human-to-forgive-supine/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) > [All right, so call me Miss Cliche of 1960, but the thing about the married ones that always spooks me is how sweet and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-perelman/all-right-so-call-me-miss-cliche-of-1960-but-the-thing-about-the/) [S. J. Perelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) [Explore all 36 S. J. Perelman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-perelman/) ## More Actresses quotes > [I feel excited about getting older as an actress, too. I think there are some amazing opportunities around the corner and I don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/i-feel-excited-about-getting-older-as-an-actress-too-i-think-there/) [Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/) > [I think most of us are raised with preconceived notions of the choices we're supposed to make. We waste so much time making decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/i-think-most-of-us-are-raised-with-preconceived-notions-of-the/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Marilyn was a great actress, not a dumb blond bombshell. 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You learn to appreciate each one for what they offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-pratt/there-are-a-lot-of-great-actresses-out-there-you-learn-to-appreciate/) [Victoria Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-pratt/) > [I want to be fulfilled creatively as an actress and get to be in roles that are meaningful and impactful. I hope the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amandla-stenberg/i-want-to-be-fulfilled-creatively-as-an-actress-and-get-to-be-in/) [Amandla Stenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amandla-stenberg/) > [There's certain things I try to avoid, as an actress, just to keep my world from being as narrow as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/famke-janssen/there-s-certain-things-i-try-to-avoid-as-an-actress-just-to-keep-my/) [Famke Janssen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/famke-janssen/) > [All the baggage that comes with fame, being an actress. 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