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~Olivia~

Irony of Passion

After reading this section of the novel, Fahrenheit 451, I’ve discovered something. Montag has found a passion—his opportunity to make a difference through what he is most interested in. Though he has put himself in quite a bit of danger, he’s had a change of heart. This “drug” could just as well not be a “drug”. Maybe, just maybe, he’s found the answer to saving what is true. Back before Montag’s time people were granted their knowledge. They went to school and learned of places, people, and ideas that were again thought of later in life. Only because people questioned or found anger against some of these lessons, were they taken away. Some saw it as a gift; there was no more questioning and no more rage over such ideas. Although, others found out that maybe it wasn’t such a blessing. People were encouraged not to think anymore—not to have an opinion of their own. Without this, life is boring and pointless. This is what Montag discovered. It was apparent to him he did not have happiness. “Happiness is important. Fun is everything. And yet I kept sitting there saying to myself, I’m not happy, I’m not happy.” (pg 65) An emptiness in his heart was longing to be filled. He needed more out of his life. Continuously, he went on about his regular schedule, finding no excitement or passion. Then his mind was opened to the land of ideas and imagination. The words he read off a simple page found meaning in his heart.

By stealing these books he felt that sense of guilt but also he discovered knowledge and freedom of thought. He could not tell why he felt so led to do what was so wrong but obviously it was important to him; it was his passion. Through Faber he found that maybe he could actually make a difference. It is completely ironic that a man that lives to destroy books finds passion in them.

Wounded by Perfection

In the novel, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, a young man is overcome by the burden of love; he falls for a cold hearted, beauty that he knows will hurt him in the end. He presses on, believing the two of them are destined to be together. “The unqualified truth is that, when I loved Estella with the love of a man, I loved her simply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be. Once for all; I loved her none the less because I knew it, and it had no more influence in restraining me than if I had devoutly believed her to be human perfection.” (pg 232-233) Even though Pip felt a great sense of unhappiness after each time he was acquainted with his subject of love, he still went on to think of her and dream of her—wishing she was his. It’s not that he was lonely and looking for something to fill that hole, it was only that he had found himself caught in a deadly trap. As a man he fell madly in love with a vision. He didn’t see through to the heart of the situation—this heart, cold and careless. I suppose he thought loving this girl was worth it, but was it really worth getting himself hurt in the end? What he saw was simply a form of beauty of which he thought to be perfection, though that perfection pushed him away at a constant rate and grew to be a wounding matter upon poor Pip’s heart.

Visiting an Innocent Man

After observing Wemmick during his visit with Pip I thought of how strange it is that some people have to put on an act each day at work. When Wemmick is at home is a loose, caring, friendly man who sees pleasure in the simplest of things. Where as when he is working it's as though his face doesn't move and his mind is overcome by the idea of money and business. How can someone be such different people only from a change of setting? Although when Wemmick comes home day after day he enters into a world of fantasy and fairytales. His house resembles a castle, he has a bridge leading up to his door, and he also has a flagpole. The flagpole is obviously something Wemmick is very proud of. He mentions many times of how he hoists the flag into the air at a certain time and how he lowers it at a certain time. By making conversation of this with Pip, pride is evident. Though so simple, the flagpole holds great meaning in his homelife. This innocence of a grown man isn't something you see very often, but when you do it is quite refreshing. All the tragedy of the world doesn't affect him here; this is the place he can escape to that will clear his mind. Work, on the other hand, is only a burden of which he must carry around. Everyone must work if they strive to be succesful in the world, even if at times it can feel like torture. Seeing these traits in Wemmick can only make me think though he loves his work and does it well, his homelife is a mirror image of his true self. The things he really cares about are among the small piece of land he owns. He could take pride in his work by bragging about it to Pip when he comes, but instead he chooses to show him the things he made with his very own hands; longing for someone to appreciate them just as much as he does. Wemmick contributes greatly to the theme with his unique values. Many of the other charactors have adapted to the "world's" ways and don't see that finding happiness in yourself and what's in your own home can be the most important thing. You don't want to loose yourself by trying to follow the crowd. Wemmick is a great example to all of us. It is important to be focused with your work but you must never loose sight of those things that really matter. Clearly, Wemmick shows he has a love of being successful but he also shows love of happiness and family. He is a well-rounded man.

Life at Home

As I read, I observed how Mrs. Joe Gargery continuously puts Pip down. She is constantly reminding him he is not wanted. The way she throws him around when she is angry and says things that are only meant to make her feel better about herself, is a perfect example of selfishness. I can imagine the only way Pip could handle this would be the way Joe treats him as a friend. They understand each other's situation and are sympathetic towards each other. Knowing that Mrs. Joe Gargery is the way she is, provides the two boys with an understanding in each other. Their little signals and jokes are almost like an escape from the evil ways of Mrs. Joe. It's almost as if they expect her to be violent and quick to anger so they've learned to think nothing of it and move on with what has to be done. When they are eating and Pip begins to ask simple questions, Mrs. Joe blows her top almost immediately. Joe, on the other hand, sits there, letting his wife do all the yelling. He can see that something is on the boy's mind but he leaves him alone. It is apparent Pip has somewhat of a mixed authority at home. He has a friend but he also has an enemy all in the same house.

Essay on Good Earth

This is the link to my summative essay on The Good Earth. While reading this novel I observed the consequences of valuing worldy pleasures over the things that can make me a better person. Wang Lung discovered this in the last moments of his life.

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