Meaning: The quote by Wentworth Miller reflects his experience growing up in a family of educators and the pressure he felt to pursue a college education. It also touches on the challenges he faced when he decided to pursue a career in acting instead.

Growing up in an environment where both of his parents were teachers, it's understandable that there was an expectation for Wentworth Miller to pursue higher education. The emphasis on the importance of education is a common theme in families with a background in teaching. With this background, it is likely that Miller was instilled with the value of academic achievement from an early age. The expectation to attend college may have been a natural extension of this upbringing, as it often is for many individuals with similar family backgrounds.

The line "both my parents are teachers and they tolerated acting, but I was going to go to a school of quality or bust" suggests that while his parents may have supported his interest in acting, they also held a strong belief in the importance of a quality education. This may have placed a significant amount of pressure on Miller to pursue a college education, as it was the expectation in his family.

As a result of this upbringing, the decision to shift back to acting after pursuing a college education may have been challenging for Miller. The phrase "which made my downshifting back to acting afterward a little difficult" indicates that there were obstacles and perhaps even conflicts that arose from his decision to pursue a career in acting instead of following the path of higher education that was expected of him.

This quote sheds light on the tension that can arise when personal aspirations diverge from familial expectations. It's a common experience for individuals to grapple with the pressure to fulfill the expectations of their families while also pursuing their own passions and interests. In Miller's case, the juxtaposition of his family's emphasis on education with his own desire to pursue acting created a conflict that he had to navigate.

The quote also provides insight into the challenges that individuals may face when they make decisions that differ from what is expected of them. The transition from a traditional academic path to a career in the arts can be fraught with uncertainty and resistance, especially when it goes against the grain of familial and societal expectations.

In conclusion, Wentworth Miller's quote encapsulates the complex interplay between family expectations, personal aspirations, and the challenges of pursuing a non-traditional career path. It offers a glimpse into the internal struggles and external pressures that individuals may encounter as they navigate their own paths, especially when those paths diverge from the expectations of their families.