The Road for me represented a time in one's life that everyone experiences, a depressing, hopeless time in which it appears that you will never get out of the rut that you are in. The whole depressive air of The Road was plagued by the father and son couple wondering if they would find enough food and water, escape being murdered by foes, and even live. All the while on their journey to the coast they questioned if there was a God. Their lives are makred by constant, unending violence and fear, and a sense of being lost forever.
The father and son encounter many people, and none of these encounters bring happiness. The father often remakrs to the son that he prays that they will make it to the coast, or survive another frigid night. In the end, the father dies and the son is invited to travel with the first family that has showed kindness to others in this barren apocalyptic land. In this last desperate attempt to find God and believe again, the son is given another opportunity at life.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
One specific part of Portrait comes to mind when thinking of religion. When Stephen is listening to a lecture about hell, including many images similar to Dante's Inferno, his fear is heightened due to the graphic images of hell that the preacher conveys. Stephen then proceeds to have his own dream about hell, a much more vivid and personal experience. Stephen realizes that he is doomed to hell, a physical and spiritual torture. I think this is one of the most important ideas, even today; people should not be afraid of their religion, they should do things, such as living a moral life, because they want to, not because they are afraid of being doomed to some idealistic, torturous place.
Stephen also endures many struggles between choosing religion and choosing women. He gets with a prostitue and then later feels guilty and dedicates his life to the church. He realizes that he cannot be a priest and has an epiphany when he sees a girl in the ocean. Stephen understands that he should not ignore his sensuality, it is a natural part of human life.
While we may not all grow into artists like Stephen does, the important message in this book pertaining to my big question is to find a happy medium where you are doing what you like because you want to do it. Whether its womanizing or being a priest, you must do what makes you happy and not fear consequences.
Stephen also endures many struggles between choosing religion and choosing women. He gets with a prostitue and then later feels guilty and dedicates his life to the church. He realizes that he cannot be a priest and has an epiphany when he sees a girl in the ocean. Stephen understands that he should not ignore his sensuality, it is a natural part of human life.
While we may not all grow into artists like Stephen does, the important message in this book pertaining to my big question is to find a happy medium where you are doing what you like because you want to do it. Whether its womanizing or being a priest, you must do what makes you happy and not fear consequences.
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