It doesn't go away like the mumps

[chopin7]

Hello

A high school director is having an argument with the English teacher because
the magazine with student's works is a bit disappointing and he wants to close it.
The director says to him that he is not the one he used to be when he was a published author.
The English teacher reacts immediately to that by saying,
"I'm still a published author.
It doesn't go away like the mumps."

To what he is referring with "it"?
What doesn't go away like mumps? The fact that he is still a published author, his fame maybe..?
Movie "Words and Pictures".

Thank you

 

[velisarius]

"Being a published author" doesn't go away (even though time has passed it's still true of him).

 

[chopin7]

Thanks, Velisarius.

 

[suzi br]

I think you are right to think of something like fame as well as the fact of it. I think there is a hint of pride there, he believes thar whatever status or credibility he has as a published writer does not fade.

 

[chopin7]

Yeah, that's more appropriate for me, Suzi.
Thank you!

 

[velisarius]

The thing is that fame and status can be lost over time, but the fact that he is a published author, even if it was a long time ago and nobody remembers him, does not change and is important to his self-image.