15 best Stranger Things quotes to live by

“You shouldn’t like things because people tell you you’re supposed to.” –  Jonathan

Episode: “Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street” 

The quiet but wise Jonathan Byers shared these words of sage advice with his younger brother Will in a flashback in the second episode of the series, before Will disappeared. These are indeed words to live by from the older brother and the scene in which it takes place gives the viewer some wonderful insight into the loving, protecting relationship Jonathan has with Will.

This scene goes a long way in showing why Jonathan does the things he does in the first season to try to get his brother back.

The quote itself reveals a lot of the mentality between the Byers brothers. They very much have a ‘us against the world’ view of things as they are both outsiders that are fans of unconventional things.

In the series, we come to learn that while Jonathan may be quite and reserved he is also quite wise and mature for his age and looks out for his younger brother and this line shows that. Jonathan is trying to both protect Will and encourage him to do what he likes to do and not what might make him ‘cool’ or ‘popular,’ and that is indeed a sentiment that we can all strive to live by.

In retrospect, the line also has a bit of a meta-textual element due to how wildly popular the show became. Perhaps fans of Stranger Things shouldn’t watch the show out of some sort of popular obligation but real love and appreciation for the story and characters.