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'Susan, I saw you in the classroom today, as the sun came from behind the clouds, a burst of brilliant light caught your hair, it was haloed in front of me. You turned, your eyes flashed fire into my soul, I immediately read the words of Dostoevsky and Karl Marx, and in the words of Albert Schweitzer, I fancy you!' But no, at 13 you're just going, ''Ello Sue: I've got legs. D'ya like: bread? I've got a French loaf. [mimes smacking someone with the loaf and dashing off] Byeee! [high voice] I love you!'

Eddie Izzard#43

HumorSchoolChildhoodFantasyIllusionLoveRealityYouth

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker describes a romantic moment with a girl named Susan, contrasting poetic internal monologue with her casual, childish reality.
In plain terms
I imagined a deep connection with her, but she is just a kid talking about bread.
What can you take from it?
Romantic fantasies often clash with everyday reality.

Where it applies

  • school settings
  • young crushes
  • internal monologue

Putting it to work

  • understanding crushes
  • writing comedy
  • observing youth

Questions to consider

  • How do we idealize people we don't know well?
  • When has reality disappointed your expectations?

Another view

The humor relies on specific cultural references that may not translate universally.

More from Eddie Izzard

  1. I like my coffee hot and strong, like i like my women, hot and strong... with a spoon in them.

    Permalink to quote #42
  2. But in Britain we don't win many gold medals at the Olympics, because we've chosen not to. It's a political statement. 'cause we hate our national anthem. Beca…

    Permalink to quote #44
  3. You've got to say something. You can't go down to the moon and go, 'Oh, it's all sticky! It's covered in jam!'

    Permalink to quote #41

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