Today, I explain who Topanga quoted for her yearbook quote in the second season of Boy Meets World.
In Pop Culture Questions Answered, I answer whatever questions you folks might have about movies, TV, music or whatever (feel free to e-mail questions to me at brian@poprefs.com).
The second season of Boy Meets World was unusual in that Danielle Fishel joined the cast as an official cast member as Topanga Lawerence, but she and Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) don’t actually date during the season. They don’t become a couple until Season 3. However, it was pretty evident that EVENTUALLY they would become a couple.
One of those moments where it was particualrly evident came towards the end of the second season, in the episode “”The Thrilla’ in Phila’,” where Cory, chagrined that he hadn’t done anything particularly notable in his freshman year at John Adams High School, is convinced to join the wrestling team and tries to become a “jock.” When asked what his yearbook quote is, he basically grunts “Rah!” There’s no one else his size, so he doesn’t actually have to fight anyone. That, of course, doesn’t turn out to be true, and after some shenanigans, he gets out of the wrestling game.
Topanga comes to him to check whether he wants to keep his quote the same. He asks her what HER quote is, and she says, “You are you and I am I. And, if, in the end, we end up together, it’s beautiful.” Cory tells her to put the same down for him. It’s a cute moment.
So, who was Topanga quoting?
She was quoting the German psychologist, Fritz Perls, who co-created a form of psychotherapy called Gestalt Therapy that emphasizes personal responsibility.
In 1969’s “Gestalt Therapy Verbatim”, Perls distilled Gestalt Therapy to the following:
I do my thing and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations,
And you are not in this world to live up to mine.
You are you, and I am I,
and if by chance we find each other, it’s beautiful.
If not, it can’t be helped.
So there ya go!
If anyone has a pop culture question, drop me a line at brian@poprefs.com!
Wow, this deep dive into Topanga’s yearbook quote is so fascinating! I never knew it all tied back to such a profound philosophical reference. What inspired the writers of *Boy Meets World* to choose that particular quote? Also, do you think any other characters had equally thought-provoking quotes? By the way, if anyone’s looking for some fun fnaf