Ian Mckellen: 'What's upsetting about an autobiography is that the final chapter is always missing. I mean, you want the death, don't you?'

What's upsetting about an autobiography is that the final chapter is always missing. I mean, you want the death, don't you?

In the realm of biographies and autobiographies, there exists a certain allure to the untold stories that lie within the final chapters. Ian McKellen, the acclaimed actor, once remarked, "What's upsetting about an autobiography is that the final chapter is always missing. I mean, you want the death, don't you?" This thought-provoking quote encapsulates the curiosity embedded within human nature, where we are often drawn to the inevitable conclusion of a life story. However, it also leads us to question the significance of that final chapter and contemplate a deeper truth regarding the existential implications of mortality.At a surface level, McKellen's statement highlights the expectation of closure we have when engaging with a life narrative. Autobiographies offer us the privilege of peering into an individual's experiences, challenges, and accomplishments, ultimately culminating in a final chapter that concludes their story. In essence, it is the chapter that ties all loose ends, provides a sense of conclusion, and acknowledges the ultimate fate of the person whose life we have been immersed in.Yet, McKellen's quote urges us to consider the broader implications of this desire for closure. In a morbid but thought-provoking twist, he suggests that part of us is enticed by the very idea of death. We want to know how a life ultimately reaches its end, understanding that it is the ultimate shared fate of all humans. This fascination is not rooted in morbidity alone but is fundamentally tied to our longing for a complete understanding of the human experience.Delving deeper, McKellen's quote serves as a gateway to exploring a philosophical concept known as memento mori. Memento mori, Latin for "remember that you must die," is a contemplation of one's mortality as a constant reminder of the transient nature of life. It has roots in ancient philosophy and art, serving as a reminder to live fully and embrace the present. This concept diverges from the typical narrative structure of an autobiography, where the focus lies on the events leading up to the final chapter. Instead, memento mori emphasizes the significance of the journey itself, encouraging us to appreciate every moment we have rather than solely fixating on its inevitable conclusion.By comparing and contrasting these perspectives, we find that the missing final chapter in an autobiography represents more than just a narrative void. It becomes a symbol for the persistent questions surrounding life's meaning, purpose, and mortality. While an autobiography provides fascinating insights into the life of an individual, it highlights the importance of recognizing that the ultimate destination lies outside the pages and beyond the confines of a single story.In conclusion, Ian McKellen's quote about the absence of a final chapter in an autobiography reveals a deeper human inclination to seek closure and understand the inevitable conclusion of a life story. However, it also sparks a philosophical conversation surrounding the significance of embracing the journey itself, rather than fixating solely on its final chapter. From contemplating the allure of death to exploring the memento mori concept, this quote invites us to reflect on the profound questions that arise in the face of mortality. In the end, perhaps it is the exploration, rather than the destination, that holds the greatest significance in our understanding of life.