If you have a dream, follow it. your interests make you who you are and they're what are gonna make you happy in the end. people are great, but they are inconsistent and make you unhappy sometimes. at the end of the day, your interests make you happy. embrace your interests and don't let society shove your interests down the drain

Tobias wolff most likely named his short story "mortals" because the story explores the theme of people coming to terms with the idea that one day they too will die. wanting to find out what their loved ones really think of them. achieving immortalit by being "big people" while they are alive. hoping that they will have accomplished something before they die.