"I seem to have no problem revealing my crush on the man who murdered Lincoln"

In Sarah Vowell's quote, "I seem to have no problem revealing my crush on the man who murdered Lincoln", the author combines humor, irony, and a deep reflection on historical stories and public memory. To interpret this quote, we should unpack its layers and consider both its actual and metaphorical significances.

First of all, the reference of having a "crush" on the guy who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln-- John Wilkes Booth-- right away captures attention due to its provocative nature. This is a circumstances of Vowell's particular wit and her fondness for blending personal reflection with historic discourse. The remark touches upon a cultural fascination with well-known historic figures, exploring how they can become romanticized or get a strange allure with time, regardless of their notorious deeds.

On a deeper level, Vowell may be critiquing the method history is taken in and how individuals in history are often seen through a lens that glorifies their actions, deliberately or not. By honestly admitting to a "crush", she might be implicitly talking about the complex interaction in between public memory and individual infatuations with historic figures who stand apart not for worthy factors but for their prestige.

The quote also assesses our cumulative struggle with moral complexity. Acknowledging black-and-white history's intricacies invites readers to question their understandings and predispositions. Are we drawn to the rebel, the bad guy, or the underdog in figures like Booth, and if so, why?

Vowell seems to be using her own overstated confession to motivate audience introspection about how we see historical figures. The quote highlights the human propensity to be fascinated by the remarkable and the notorious, challenging us to reassess the narratives we've created and the people we pick to keep in mind. Through her particular sarcasm and irreverence, Vowell provokes believed on our relationship with history, inviting deeper factor to consider of what-- or whom-- captures our historic creativity and why.