In the context provided, Richard Stanley is referring to his extensive experience as an interview subject over two decades where he has been asked a question about "The Island of Dr. Moreau" almost every time he participates in an interview. This novel by H.G. Wells explores themes of ethics and humanity through the creation of creatures that blur the line between animal and human.
Underlying this statement is Stanley's reflection on how deeply certain topics or aspects of his work resonate with people, despite their potential irrelevance to his professional accomplishments or personal interests. The persistence of questions about "The Island of Dr. Moreau" suggests a fascination among interviewers and readers for the ethical and moral dilemmas presented in the novel, which can be seen as a metaphor for broader existential questions and societal concerns. This curiosity indicates that literature has a profound impact on how people perceive and question complex issues.
Richard Stanley is known for his work in mathematics, particularly combinatorics, where he made significant contributions such as Stanley's reciprocity theorem and his studies of symmetric functions and enumerative combinatorics. Beyond being a celebrated mathematician, Stanley also enjoys discussions about literature and its philosophical implications, which has led to these recurring questions during interviews over the years.
