"Well I was an asthmatic child. So that for most of my childhood I was in bed. Bedridden"
- Gerald Scarfe
About this Quote
Gerald Scarfe's quote speaks with the struggles of coping with asthma as a child. It is clear that the condition had a substantial influence on his youth, as he was typically confined to bed due to his asthma. This quote speaks with the physical and emotional toll that asthma can take on a person, as it can limit their ability to participate in activities that other kids may consider given. It also talks to the loneliness and seclusion that can include being bedridden for extended periods of time. In spite of the challenges, Scarfe's quote likewise speaks with the strength of the human spirit, as he was able to overcome his asthma and go on to have an effective career as an artist and illustrator. His quote serves as a pointer that even in the face of difficulty, it is possible to conquer and achieve excellent things.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"