An Undiscovered Strength

an essay on the novel Life of Pi, by Yann Martel

Life is journey upon journey to find yourself. You grow older everyday, learning new things. You are exposed to situations that force you out of your comfort zone. In the novel, Life of Pi, by Yann Martel, a young man travels across the expanse of the earth discovering the strength he never knew he had. "The individual soul touches up on the world soul like a well reaches for the water table. That which sustains the universe beyond thought and language, and that which is at the core of us and struggles for expression, is the same thing." (48-49) This world that we live in has the ability to change us in ways we never knew possible. As Pi travels across the unknown he finds that he has skills and strengths that he would have never discovered as a small town boy.

Living in Pondicherry was quite modest and simple. As Pi grew older he grew more and more curious. He became exposed to religion on a trip with his father. His curiosity got the better of him and he found himself caught up in multiple religions; Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. In this area of the country and this generation we aren't exposed to very many religions. It is common for people to be Catholic, Lutheran, as well as any denomination of Christianity. They follow the same guidelines and read the same book. Some see religion as just part of their routine, while others live by it, spending day after day improving their walk with their God. Something Pi discovers that not many people see is that all religions have something in common; they all are on a mission to reach God. The only difference is the path they take to get there. Pi reaches a point where he is overwhelmed with understanding. "I was filled with a sense of peace. But more than the setting, what arrested me was my intuitive understanding that he was there--open, patient-- in case someone, anyone, should want to talk to him; a problem of the soul, a heaviness of the heart, a darkness of the conscience, he would listen with love." (52) He realizes the importance of believing in something, of having something to call his own. The relationship he creates with God is strong and unbreakable; a relationship he had never thought possible.

His family soon decides to part from Pondicherry and start a new life in Canada. He is ripped from his sources of religion; his ties are broken and he is forced to continue on his own without guidance although in reality he is still with God. Finding himself on a ship with men who find it funny to drink too much at night and lose control of the ship in the morning, Pi ends up as the only known survivor of a shipwreck. He then experiences hunger, loneliness, and fear. Adapting to these feelings becomes second nature to Pi Patel. He uncovers ways to provide for himself with limited supplies. Once living in a small town, getting everything handed to him as needed, he is now required to take care of himself and maintain his own wellbeing-- something he has never had to do before.

He begins with the simple concept of food. Slowly he begins to find ways to catch fish and collect water. From the little survival experience he's had, he begins to learn. Aristotle once said "One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try." This is what Pi was discovering. Though he had never really needed to catch food for himself or collect fresh water, he was now learning through experience. He was surprising himself with all that he knew how to achieve. As people in this world we learn of new skills we have everyday. And as we go on, those skills mature and grow. Pi finds his routine; he goes about the same things each day improving upon them. "A little bit of hope-- hard earned, well deserved, reasonable-- glowed in me." (176)

In our world today it is necessary to have a career in order to support a home and a family. As we work through school and onto college we acquire more and more knowledge. To do this we have to expose ourselves to different situations. We find out what we enjoy and that plays a huge part in what we do for the rest of our lives. When Pi is on this journey, it seems there is a representation of life. Pi begins to find himself and discover new traits that had never been uncovered before. When he lands on Mexico and eventually starts his life in Canada these discoveries affect his way of life and the person he becomes. In the novel, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, a young man finds his place in life after journeying from the discovery of God to a higher realm of self confidence and understanding.

Farenheit 451

Relation to Farenheit 451

Teenagers can be so violent and mean to eachother. Clarrisse talks about gangs of teens hanging around theme parks just waiting to pounce on a helpless kid. And when they speed down the highway swerving and going crazy. These are all forms of teen violence and this isn't just a problem in the book it's a problem all across America.

Scenario

STATE NOTICE.
The government has received $200,000 to spend as needed in the state. If you have any problems to report please contact Tad Martin. He will be collecting all reports/complaints and they looked over by the state government, and decisions will be made so every cent will be spent wisely.
Send to:
PO Box 15326
Madison, WI 53701

Teen Violence

Dear Domestic Violence Center of Wisconsin,

My name is Olivia Ritchie. Milwaukee County has been my home for 10 years as I've attended Milwaukee Public Schools. I find pride in involving myself in every opportunity possible and developing strong relationships with other students and neighbors. Although at times it can feel like a dangerous place to spend my time with. Slowly I've learned to adapt and look out for myself and those I love; sticking up for those who can't stick up for themselves. Pain is a hard thing to deal with and if I can prevent even just one person from that situation I believe it will make a difference.

This year has been a difficult year, however. One of my fellow students punched and knocked out his football coach; there have been many teachers filing workers compensation cases, due to assault; boys of a young age have been caught vending guns; everyday, people are mugged when walking down the street . Sadly these things occur more often than just once. I feel it is my responsibility, as well as my fellow students, to change this. As I've observed these things it seems the only thing I can do is turn to you for help.

Recently, it has come to my attention that you've received $200,000 from the government to spend as needed. Well, teen violence is a problem all over the state, as well as all over the world. As a teenager myself I feel the most good influence comes from the next generation--the people who have already been through it all, they've seen and experienced it. They are the wise ones, we just need time to listen. Although, you may think we can grow arrogant and completely disregard what our elders say, I think by showing that there are people that have little faith in us, would be the answer. So often, teens can feel so unimportant and we constantly seem to get the excuse "you're too young", when we really are not. We've been through the same amount, if not more, of hardships. Most of us are mature, beyond our years. I believe that by showing us our opinion matters--our life matters-- this is the answer.

It's a scary world and no one can really change that. I feel that the way some students act, by pushing away any help, they are only trying to cover up that fear. Bringing in someone who was once in that exact situation--someone these we can relate to-- this is what would make a real difference. Even if some don't take it to heart, we can always say we tried and maybe, just maybe, we could change a few lives and direct some on the right track to success.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, I felt I should do a little research for you. I came across many elders who I believe could relate the greatest. There is a gang conference that is held and speakers come from all over, and all walks of life to share their stories and skills. One man I came across, TJ Leydon, is a former neo-Nazi gang member. I felt that this would be a very relatable man. He's fallen to the deepest of depths, feeling the pain and the guilt. It seems his testimony would be extremely appropriate and affective for my age group. High school is when most of the peer pressure starts and the decisions you make can be life changing; whether these changes are for the best or the worst is up to us as people.

Counseling is a concept that many people grasp onto, but it doesn't work for everyone. Teenagers, especially avoid this idea of help, they prefer looking to their friends for advice-- advice that, at times, can be unpredictable. Counselors are wise but most of the time can not be related to. I feel that if they put people like TJ Leydon into struggling high schools, counseling would be much more affective. The students would be able to talk about their problems and feel like there wasn't just empty advice bouncing back at them.

Like counselors, police are suited to handle violent and emotional situations between teens, but to me, and I'm sure I am speaking for the entire student body, they are only doing their job and they only care for a short amount of time. If we were able to bring in people who could truly see and feel what these struggling teens are going through, the recovery would go much more smoothly. The truth is, we just need someone to show they care and they believe in us. That means more than anything in the world. As a teen I can feel so insignificant and not good enough for anything. It's that stage in our lives where we stand right in between a kid and an adult--a hard place to be. You receive freedom but much less than you feel is right.

I'm sure it is understandable to all that growing up is hard, but the journey is great. When you're young you wish you were older; when you're old, you wish you were younger. The human population never really seems to be satisfied. Yes, teen violence is a problem and yes, kids do make some terrible decisions, but they just need a little help. Using the money you've received to sponsor these ideas, could change lives. And isn't that our goal? We only long to help and protect the people of our great country; the United States of America. Please consider what I've said. I speak for my generation and hope that together we can create a better tomorrow. "Together we stand, divided we fall". ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Thank you,

Olivia Ritchie

Milwaukee, WI

True Love Stays

True love is a concept that many have yet to grasp. Although, why do so many long for this feeling? Why do so many spend their days searching for this? The answer to this: love is the closest thing we have to magic. In the novel, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, love stays, never leaving, through every terrible word or thought, through every rise or fall, through every smile or frown. After such cruelty from Pip, Joe stays—his loyalty and love for Pip, everlasting.

As a youth, Pip grew to be Joe’s companion, Joe’s escape. They were inseparable and worked through every hardship, growing fonder of each other through it all. “But I loved Joe—perhaps for no better reason in those early days than because the dear fellow let me love him.” (40) There is truth in these words. Loving a person is not a forced thing it is a feeling that grows over time; something that you have to work at. Joe had discovered that Pip was worth pursuing. Though he pushed him away once he became successful, Joe knew that the little, innocent boy whom he loved, was somewhere deep inside of him. And he was willing to wait for that boy to resurface.

When Joe discovers that Pip is home and ill he immediately goes to tend to his every need. This loyalty is a shock to Pip. “For Joe had actually laid his head down on the pillow at my side, and put his arm around my neck, in his joy that I knew him. ‘Which dear old Pip, old chap,’ said Joe, ‘you and me was ever friends. And when you’re well enough to go out for a ride—what larks!” (468) Joe sees no reason to hold any grudges against poor Pip, but only comes to comfort him and show that he truly has forgiven and forgotten. Their friendship had always meant more to him than life itself.

As Pip grows stronger each day, Joe becomes more and more detached. Though he loves Pip with all his heart, his fear of getting hurt and pushed away once more is obvious. Joe’s strategy is to give Pip no reason to push him away, for he will already be gone. But the thought of Pip will hold a place in his heart for eternity. To show this to Pip, he pays off the young man’s fine for him. Seeing this, he realizes how he’s lost his chance of apology. Instantly, he sets out for home—on a mission to mend the ties between Joe and himself. For Joe fled before he was able to show how he had changed; how he had found himself once more and was regretful of his behavior—longing to fix what had been broken.

It is a glorious thing to find what truly matters to you. Sometimes you don’t see what you have until you’ve lost it—and finding it once again can be the adventure of a lifetime. Pip realized this slowly, but the important thing is to see what truly matters before you lose it. Take nothing for granted and your chance of losing those things will lessen over time. Joe comes to nurse Pip back to health. He comes with a humble heart and a caring heart. Through all that Pip has done to him, he comes, bringing no complaint. Throughout this novel, love is apparent; the truest of love is demonstrated through the most wounded of relationships. This only proves that love can find you, and love can stay—bringing joy to what once was silence and abandonment. “I have been bent and broken, but—I hope—into a better shape. Be as considerate and good to me as you were, and tell me we are friends.” (489)

When is the right time to honor our Military Heroes?

As I strolled down the sidewalk the other day I spotted a bumper sticker on the back of an old, beat-up car, which stated, “Do you enjoy your freedom? Thank the veterans.” I couldn’t help but think of how rarely we do take time out of our day to appropriately thank these men and women that fight day after day—not because they have to, but because they find value in their country worth fighting for. Though thinking of these people, often, does not come naturally to us.

People across America watch the news every day where they see updates of what goes on in Iraq and Afghanistan, but seldom do they truly react to this information. It seems such frequent news, the war. So many do not see it really is a much larger thing than we realize. If there was no one willing to keep our country safe where would we be? Our soldiers along with any who fight for freedom are worthy of respect and honor. There is no wrong time to honor them for each day giving them just a moment of thought can do some good. Saying the pledge each morning and thinking about the words that are escaping your lips, can perhaps spark a little excitement and lead you to motivate others to see the bravery of these leaders.

I don’t know how you feel about becoming part of the army or if you would even consider fighting, but there is always room to encourage a little bit more, or love a little bit more, and of course be thankful a little bit more. Everyone has a choice of whether they’ll take time to help or not. There are plenty of opportunities in the community to get involved. By doing so it is the first step to making a difference in world. Though it seems little eventually it can grow into something much bigger. This is how it all began with the people that are now fighting over in Iraq and Afghanistan. They began as small leaders, but soon grew to great men and women that are honored by citizens all across America. Growing older makes these concepts much more clear to me. These soldiers that risk their lives to keep their country safe should not only be honored but respected and envied for their bravery.

The Pursuit of Values

So many people have become concerned with money and reputation that they’ve lost track of what was once truly important to them. Wang Lung is a perfect example of this type of person; he could have been seen as such a modest man with values that would only help him in life, not bring him down. Instead he found money, power, and a high reputation much more rewarding. Yet the truth is, this only lead him astray. Why then do so many people crave this lifestyle? Throughout the novel, The Good Earth, Pearl Buck displays the importance of not being consumed by worldly pleasures, for we naturally long for more, slowly surrendering our contentment.

As a young man Wang Lung found the simplest of things satisfying. He grew up in a modest home with his elderly, poor father. Day after day he worked hard on the fields and the labor of his hands brought such reward. At the end of the day he found contentment in his accomplishments. The land was his only possession and from it he earned silver; though it was a little amount of money, he was pleased. “He took his life from this earth; drop by drop his sweat he wrung food from it and from the food, silver.”(pg.35) Looking among the life we have there seems to always be room for more but the question we face is, do we really need this? Every day of our lives we find things and people to envy. No matter what we have it never seems like enough. At this time in China, Wang Lung found himself very happy with what he was given. Although, he really didn’t know any more than his individual world.

Eventually the doors of his heart unlocked his appetite for more. O’lan was the name of his, soon to be, wife. She was a slave coming from the home of the wealthiest family in the village. It was Wang Lung’s responsibility to pick her up; at this point he was given the opportunity to enter the Great House of Hwang. When he did this he realized for the first time how poor he really was. Even the gate keeper intimidated him—a man of lower class, similar to Wang Lung himself. As he tours the house he takes in the intricate beauty of the details as if to store it away in his mind for eternity. “Now it was as if Heaven had chosen this day to wish him well. Earth would bear fruit.” (pg. 2)

This visit to such a home, made the day of marriage even grander. Yet, he couldn’t help but wonder, could his wife ever find comfort in his home? Coming from such a lavish place and stepping down among poor men to bear sons for a man she had never seen in her life. I am certain O’lan found her shelter of less quality than her last, but she coped with the changes and humbly brought no attention to her discomfort or herself. I believe that humility is a sign of great strength in a woman and this is what sustains her.

When Wang Lung had first entered the great house it is said that he was amazed that someone could have such wealth. He began to crave that for himself and dreamed of gaining the respect of the slaves and the gatekeeper. The jealousy and envy creeps in slowly with one simple act. Once he sees such luxury it is in his heart to acquire this life he has seen. He believes he would be so much better off if he lived with such pleasure as that. Though as time goes on he gains land which truly brings him joy, but money could never replace the delight he finds in his earth. “But Wang Lung thought of his land and pondered this way and that, with the sickened heart of deferred hope, how he could get back to it. He belonged to the land and he could not live with any fullness until he felt the land under his feet.” (pg. 87)

Though the land creates such an escape for him, he still had cravings for the life of a rich man. He even begins to look at his wife as if she is not of the human form. Her ugly features and large feet become more noticeable to Wang Lung day after day. He begins to seek the love of another woman, Lotus. She is of nothing he had ever seen before. By changing himself to please her, bearing gifts for her each time they visit, he learns that this still isn’t enough. Slowly he is transforming into the master of the Great House of Hwang. It is sad to see a man so unhappy with the appearance of his own wife that he publicly moves onto a new woman. In this very way he is becoming the evil that he feared all his life. When in the city to the south he was astonished that people could be so cruel as to take this food for the poor to their live stalk. After thinking this, how can he assume taking on another woman is acceptable?

Was Wang Lung blind? Did he not see how badly he was hurting his faithful wife? “’I have borne you sons—I have borne you sons—‘And he was silenced and uneasy and he muttered to himself for he was ashamed before her and so he let her alone. It was true that before the law he had no complaint against his wife, for she had borne him three good sons and they were alive, and there was no excuse for him except his desire.” (pg 196) Though O’lan cries out to him he walks away as if nothing else can be said for this sorry situation. It amazes me that someone can be so uncaring and pay no attention to what tragedy is right in front of their very eyes. This behavior draws attention to the fact that Wang Lung desires more.

Discontentment brings on behaviors such as overspending, secrecy, and disrespect. As Wang Lung becomes more involved with Lotus he reaches the point where he wishes to bring her home with him. To please her he builds a whole new inner court and fills it with luxurious items, far exceeding his financial means. He also allows his eldest son to draw from his pockets to decorate the inner courts of the great House of Hwang. Growing weary, he lost concern for how his money was being spent.

At seven years old Pear Blossom was sold as a slave into Wang Lung’s home. She was of beauty and youth. Many men in the home asked for her for pleasure and marriage but she denied for fear of them. She soon admitted she had an eye for Wang Lung himself. With his evil ways he truly proves he has become a man of greed and lust, making him just like the men he was once feared. Though always lingering in his heart was the value of his first land. “Thus spring wore on again and again and vaguely and more vaguely as these years passed he felt it coming. But still one thing remained to him and it was his love for his land.” (pg 356) After overhearing his sons talking of selling the land after their dear father dies of his old age, Wang Lung discovers the terrible consequence that would bring. Without their land his family is nothing. There food, money, and livelihood comes from the very land in which he began so long ago. If his boys grew up with this land in their midst, why do they long to get rid of such a memory? At this point in time, when Wang Lung is at his weakest point; this is when he realizes the truth. “It is the end of a family—when they begin to sell the land…Out of the land we came and into it we must go—and if you will hold your land you can live –no one can rob you of land…If you sell the land, it is the end.” (pg 360)

Looking back on this passion was revealed on his deathbed. He talks of love for the land and finding peace in this place. Although, it was clear the land truly was within him. Day to day he survived only because of the land. Throughout the book I became less and less fond of this man because of the poor decisions and cruel behavior. In retrospect the whole picture of his life made him the man that he was. He had gone through complete poverty and climbed to the highest of riches; he had gone through trials and through glorious times; he had made wise decisions and he had left scars. Viewing that richness has changed my heart for the man that I know lies deep within him. These simple pleasures rose to the surface and gave him peace. For, he finally discovered that the one thing that lifted him up through all those years was his land. In the novel, The Good Earth, a man is formed through finding himself after learning of the pleasures in life that can tear you apart.