"If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he's dead, then maybe he was a great man"

In this quote, James Dean is recommending that an individual's greatness can be determined by their ability to go beyond the boundaries of life and death. He thinks that if somebody is able to leave a lasting effect and continue to be remembered even after their physical death, then they should have been an impressive person. This might indicate that they achieved fantastic things throughout their lifetime, or that their tradition and impact continue to live on. Dean's words also hint at the concept of immortality, as he recommends that an individual's greatness can permit them to reside on in the memories and hearts of others.