Mark Gatiss' quote plays on the famous adage "One man's trash is another man's treasure." By replacing "trash" with "fish" and using the French word "poisson" for fish, Gatiss highlights the subjective nature of value and meaning. This transformation emphasizes that perceptions can vary widely between individuals.
At its core, the quote suggests that what one person may find useful or valuable, another may not. The use of "fish" and "poisson" may also imply a cultural or linguistic dimension to this idea; different backgrounds can lead to differing interpretations of what is desirable or worthy.
Furthermore, the playful word choice evokes a humorous angle, indicating that the same object (or in this case, fish) can carry contrasting sentiments depending on personal taste and context. This aligns with the idea that preferences—be they culinary or otherwise—are deeply personal and diverse.
Ultimately, Gatiss’ witty phrase encourages us to be aware of these differences and fosters an appreciation for the multiplicity of human experience. It serves as a reminder that value is not an absolute concept but rather a fluid and subjective one influenced by individual perspectives and cultural contexts.
“Well, what was I to do? For the well-bred gentleman there was clearly only one recourse. I fucked him.”
“It was all quite ghastly and I was very fond of it.”
“If not exactly raging against the dying of the light, I was at least a little cross with it.”
“All pleasure should be a little bent, don't you think?”
“When I was your age — about, ooh, a thousand years ago — I loved a good bedtime story. The Three Little Sontarans. The Emperor Dalek's New Clothes. Snow White and the Seven Keys to Doomsday, eh? All the classics.”
“I've heard of such a legend!' I gasped. 'A child descended from a union between Christ and Mary Magdalene!' 'Don't be so fucking stupid,' snorted Mons. 'There's hundreds of those!”