“Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hand unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life."
-Romeo & Juliet,  Shakespeare

“It's so simple, in a way, I mean, two young people fall in love, because it is love. And they don't get that you're not supposed to do that. You're not supposed to cross the floor and fall in love. But it's love. Love does not understand that. And so, my whole life I have struggled with this notion of that love transcends differences.”

Joseph Kertes is an award winning author.  His most recent book is Last Impressions.  Among his awards are: Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour,  the Canadian Jewish Book Award and the U.S. National Jewish Book Award for Fiction. He founded the creative writing and comedy programs at Humber College.

 "Live like a hero.  That is what the classics teach us.  Be a main character.  Otherwise, what is life for?"  - J.M. Coetzee 

Jenn Weinheimer says these lines "remind me that we can't just passively check the boxes in life and consider that a life.  Elizabeth imploring Paul to "live [his] life so that someone might want to put [him] in a book" is a reminder not of WHICH choices we need to make but that we need to live with intention.  My experience teaching this novel has shown me that these lines have a similar effect on my students.  When they might think that they are just waiting for "real life" (life after high school or after college) to start, it can be tempting to think that one is merely following a script, but Elizabeth Costello reminds Paul (and by extension the readers of the novel) that it's all real--and it's short--and we have to do something so that our lives aren't just resumes--they are stories. "

Jenn Weinheimer spent 20 years in independent secondary-school education as an English teacher, Dean, Department Chair and now Head of Upper School at Cincinnati Country Day School.  While  not a rebellious sort, she hopes "I'm living my life like a main character and creating some good plot twists along the way." 

"Please follow your heart, win or lose."- J.D. Salinger

When Robert Graham was in his early 20s, he read J.D. Salinger's novella “Seymour: An Introduction” and felt compelled to copy down a few lines on a notepad. He then folded up that piece of paper and stuck it in his wallet, where it’s been for the past 30 years.

As a classically trained musician, Graham had some reservations when it came to composing his own music, but he would recall Salinger’s lines as a call to action, reminding him of what was truly important. 

Here are a few other lines from the novel that Robert tries to live by.

“Do you know what you will be asked when you die? …. I'm so sure you'll get asked only two questions.  Were most of your stars out? Were you busy writing your heart out?”