Lennon was somebody who was a born enemy of those who govern the United States. He was everything they hated. So I just say that he represented life, and that is admirable; and Mr. Nixon and Mr. Bush represent death, and that is a bad thing.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Vidal contrasts John Lennon's anti-establishment spirit as life-affirming against Nixon and Bush, whom he views as death-representing.
- In plain terms
- Lennon stood for life against the government, while Nixon and Bush stood for death.
- What can you take from it?
- Value artists who challenge power over leaders who enforce it.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who represents life to you?
- How do you judge leaders?
Another view
It reduces complex figures to binary moral symbols.
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