As an actor I am always waiting for my luck to run out.
Tom HanksRead
Even if a story has nothing to do with my life, if I can recognise something of myself in the character and think, 'Oh yeah, that's what I'd do...' Yeah, that's what I look for.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of personal connection and relatability in storytelling.
Tom Hanks expresses the idea that even fictional narratives that do not directly reflect his own experiences can resonate with him if he can find common ground with the characters. This recognition allows him to engage with stories on a deeper level, highlighting the universal nature of certain human experiences and emotions that transcend individual circumstances.
Themes
StorytellingRelatabilityCharactersSelf-RecognitionLiterature
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a literature class to discuss character development and empathy.
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My kid could get a bad X-ray and I could get a call from the doctor saying I have something growing in my bum and that would change my perspective on everything instantaneously, on what is and what is not important.
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Back in World War II, we viewed the Japanese as 'yellow, slant-eyed dogs' that believed in different gods. They were out to kill us because our way of living was different. We, in turn, wanted to annihilate them because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what's going on today?
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I think it's better to feel good than to look good.
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If you look at romantic comedies as pieces of commerce, the audience is looking for wish fulfillment.
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