In her book "The Hundred Secret Senses," author Amy Tan explores themes of desire and aspiration through a vivid metaphor. The quote about "a hundred Chinese Icaruses" highlights the innate human tendency to dream and create, even when faced with impossible odds. It suggests that the act of wishing and imagining transcends barriers, illustrating how people continually seek to reach for their dreams, regardless of practicality.

This imagery communicates a sense of resilience and creativity, suggesting that even the most unlikely materials, like earwax, can be transformed into something meaningful. Tan emphasizes that the longing to build and fly—symbolizing hope and ambition—is universal and uncontainable, reflecting the essence of human experience and the relentless pursuit of the extraordinary.