Rory Gilmore's Graduation Speech (and the Books In It)

Rory Gilmore’s graduation speech was one for the ages. Decades later, we’re still talking about her twin worlds of books and family! Here, we’ll recap the speech itself, then dive deep into what her literary references mean. After all, I’ve run a Rory Gilmore reading challenge and tracked all the books on Gilmore Girls since 2020. So, let’s look at her commemorative words in a new light together.

“I live in two worlds. One is a world of books.”

Rory Gilmore’s Graduation Ceremony Episode

On Gilmore Girls, Rory Gilmore gave the valedictorian speech at her graduation from Chilton High School, discussing the impact of books and her family (especially her mother, Lorelai) on her life.

Rory’s graduation speech appears in the Gilmore Girls Season 3 finale, Episode 22: “Those Are Strings, Pinocchio.”

Transcript of Rory Gilmore’s Graduation Speech

Let’s take a closer look at Rory’s valedictorian speech, where she famously refers to herself as living in two worlds, one of which is a world of books:

“Headmaster Charleston, faculty members, fellow students, family and friends: welcome. We never thought this day would come. We prayed for its quick delivery, crossed days off our calendars, counted hours, minutes and seconds and now that it’s here, I’m sorry it is, because it means leaving friends who inspire me and teachers who’ve been my mentors– so many people who’ve shaped my life, and my fellow students lives impermeably and forever.

I live in two worlds. One is a world of books. I’ve been a resident of Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County, hunted the white whale aboard the Pequod, fought alongside Napoleon, sailed a raft with Huck and Jim, committed absurdities with Ignatius J. Reilly, rode a sad train with Anna Karenina and strolled down Swann’s Way. It’s a rewarding world, but my second one is by far superior.

My second one is populated with characters slightly less eccentric, but supremely real, made of flesh and bone, full of love, who are my ultimate inspiration for everything.

Richard and Emily Gilmore are kind, decent, unfailingly generous people. They are my twin pillars, without whom I could not stand. I am proud to be their grandchild.

But my ultimate inspiration comes from my best friend, the dazzling woman from whom I received my name and my life’s blood, Lorelai Gilmore. My mother never gave me any idea that I couldn’t do whatever I wanted to do or be whomever I wanted to be. She filled our house with love and fun and books and music, unflagging in her efforts to give me role models from Jane Austen to Eudora Welty to Patti Smith. As she guided me through these incredible eighteen years, I don’t know if she ever realized that the person I most wanted to be was her. Thank you, Mom. You are my guidepost for everything.”
Rory Gilmore

Behind the Literary Quotes in Rory Gilmore’s High School Valedictorian Speech

Wondering what Rory’s speech really means? Learn more about the literary references Rory makes below.

“I’ve been a resident of Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County”

American author William Faulkner wrote several books set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County; however, Rory is seen with The Sound and the Fury, her “other bus book,” in an earlier episode of Gilmore Girls. It’s a difficult, but beloved, book written in stream of consciousness.

“hunted the white whale aboard the Pequod”

The Pequod is the fictional Nantucket whaling ship in Moby Dick by Herman Melville, and the white whale is, of course, Moby Dick. This book is the one Dean first spotted Rory reading, and it was also on Jess Mariano’s book list. She later discussed it with Logan as well.

“fought alongside Napoleon”

While there are many books about Napoleon Bonaparte, this reference likely refers to Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, which is referenced in class at Chilton.

“sailed a raft with Huck and Jim”

Huck and Jim are the main characters in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. The first book ever referenced on Gilmore Girls, it’s a high school classic that shares its coming-of-age theme with Gilmore Girls. Of special note, a trip to Twain’s home in Connecticut inspired the show.

“committed absurdities with Ignatius J. Reilly”

Ignatius J. Reilly is the protagonist in A Conf ederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, known for his comical adventures across New Orleans. It’s particularly popular among college students and was read by Jess Mariano as well.

“rode a sad train with Anna Karenina”

Of course, Anna Karenina is the protagonist in Leo Tolstoy’s tragic Russian romance novel, Anna Karenina, which is also known as Rory’s favorite book. She called it “beautiful,” though, Dean said it was “depressing.”

“strolled down Swann’s Way”

“Swann’s Way” refers to Swann’s Way: In Search of Lost Time (Vol. I) by Marcel Proust. This is a bit of an ironic reference, as Lorelai borrowed Proust from Rory’s teacher and her one-time fiance, Max Medina. If you want to dig deeper, I have a theory about Swann’s Way revealing the father of Rory’s baby.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen is the classic author of six romance novels, the most popular of which is Pride and Prejudice. She is commonly referenced in Mr. Medina’s classroom. Rory also loans this book to Dean early in their relationship, and Jess and Paris discuss Austen at the Gilmore’s house.

Eudora Welty

Rory once shoved The Collected Stories by Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty, known for her Southern background and short stories, into her backpack. She also read another title in bed.

Note:

American singer-songwriter, Patti Smith, did also author several books, both before and after this episode originally aired.

If you liked this Gilmore Girls-themed post about the books referenced in Rory Gilmore’s graduation speech, you will love these posts:

Rory Gilmore’s Graduation Speech (and the Books In It)

Rory Gilmore’s Graduation Ceremony Episode

Transcript of Rory Gilmore’s Graduation Speech

Behind the Literary Quotes in Rory Gilmore’s High School Valedictorian Speech

“I’ve been a resident of Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County”