"I feel that I see John Lennon now as not a celebrity. I did then. I saw him as a cardboard cutout on an album cover"

Mark David Chapman's quote shows his altering understanding of John Lennon. At first, Chapman saw Lennon as a star, an epic figure on an album cover. However, gradually, Chapman's understanding of Lennon shifted and he began to see him as a person, rather than a celeb. This quote recommends that Chapman's affection for Lennon had grown, and he no longer saw him as a cardboard cutout on an album cover, but as a real individual. This quote likewise suggests that Chapman had actually developed an individual connection with Lennon, and that he felt a sense of familiarity with him. Chapman's quote reflects the power of celebrity culture, and how it can shape our understanding of individuals. It likewise reflects the power of personal connection, and how it can alter our understanding of someone.