Life is a Journey

an essay response to Life of Pi

Life consists of three main stages: beginning, middle and end. The first stage focuses mainly on innocence. When you are young, all you can do is fend for yourself. You hold no responsibility for anyone else and because of this, you have time to examine those around. The middle stage, or the teen years, are all about discovering who you are and who you want to become. It is a time to hold onto your strengths and let go of your weaknesses – a time to figure out your hopes and dreams. By adulthood, you have determined your occupation and have started living your independent life. In the novel Life of Pi, Yann Martel emphasizes the idea that life is a journey. He teaches us that life is all about surviving reality and in order to do so, you must successfully complete each stage in life. With experience comes knowledge and with knowledge comes success.

To a young child, the world may seem immense – it appears untouchable. They are innocent and observe the world from the outside; their delicate minds are constantly wondering why people choose to do the things they do. This is the whole truth. They are new to the world, like a fish out of water, and everything ahead of them is a mystery. Pi Patel, an Indian boy, was born under the roof of a zookeeper and raised in a home where animals were used as learning tools. Throughout Pi's days as a child, he quietly, yet carefully, observed the behaviors of those around him. His father -- the figure he most often listened to -- was always pushing the idea that life was like a zoo, but Pi did not yet understand this concept. Pi's parents made it an effort to educate their son on the idea that in reality there are people who will act like wild animals, but Pi did not yet understand. This is the reality of innocent minds. It is not that they don’t want to learn, it is that they have no need for it. As a young boy, Pi has no reason to worry about the real world. Eventually a time will come in his life where the information will be of use, but for now, all of his cares are focused on playing, eating and sleeping.

Many young children believe that life has no pain, no suffering and no anguish but the truth is, life is full of paradox. For Pi, all it takes is the sinking of his boat, the Tsimtsum, to learn this important life lesson. He accurately explains the chaos that spreads across the deck as the boat slowly enters the vast ocean. While this is taking place, Pi stands frozen and allows the idea of pain to sink. When a boy enters adolescence, many changes take place. He has already discovered that life is full of pain and that it is vital in order to live a balanced life, but there is so much more. That is why this stage is also focused on preparing you for the change ahead; it is a time to show you that change is okay. This is exactly what Pi's parents do when they decide to move to their family to Canada. Martel is teaching us -- through Pi's move – that change is needed in order to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Once a person comprehends that they are in the process of undergoing a transformation, they are ready to move on to the next stage, the next chapter in their life.

After the Tsimtsum was completely under water, Pi wakes up and realizes that he has been thrown overboard by crew members into a lifeboat. He is the only human aboard, but notices that he was not alone. Accompanying him were three wild animals: a tiger, a hyena, and a zebra. Throughout his days on the boat, Pi learned a lot about himself and what levels he will travel to, in order to survive. “Things didn’t turn out the way they were supposed to, but what can you do? You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it.” (91) This quote accurately explains the renovation that Pi has undergone. His mindset has matured and he discovers that you have to make the best of what life throws at you. This time in your life, is dedicated to figuring out who you are and who you want to become. Pi finds that he is willing to leave his comfort zone and break some of his most precious conventions, in order to survive; he discovers many strengths he never knew he had. Adolescence for Pi, was being stranded out in the middle of the ocean and that opportunity gave him the chance to discover who he truly is.

Like a plant needing water, the changes that you will undergo before entering adulthood are crucial. Without learning how to handle pain, accept change and acknowledge who you are, you will be lost. When Pi survives his journey, he returns to Canada and we know, by the way he presents himself, that he is an adult. We also know that Pi has a wife and two children, but that holds very little importance when compared to the transformation he has made from a boy to a man. Looking back at Pi's journey, it becomes apparent that he survived because his strength was put to the test. It made him an individual -- an individual with a unique story. We, as people, also need to experience a journey that will alter our lives. Life is a journey and the only way we can survive, is if we discover our true selves.

The transition from innocent to experienced is like no other. The changes that are involved in this cycle are necessary and will decide how a person lives the rest of their life. To a young child, the world may seem immense -- it appears untouchable -- but once they leave that stage of innocence, their life becomes an adventure. This adventure will take them to new and exciting places where they will learn new and exciting things. In the novel Life of Pi, Yann Martel teaches us that life is all about surviving reality. At first, the real world may seem like a jungle, but with experience comes knowledge and with knowledge comes success. These are the keys to living a healthy, balanced, life and enduring what is known to Pi as the zoo.

Money Vs. Morals

Scenario
My name is Taylor Kaine. I am a physician and I consider helping people the main aspect of my job. But is helping people always at the top of my boss’s list? Or is money? Right now, I am dealing with a situation that can possibly determine the answers to these questions. I have a patient who had back problems in the past and has recently been struggling with some minor pain in her lower back. My solution? I believe the best way for her to heal is to send her to a physical therapist who can teach her how to care for her sensitive back. On the other hand, my boss, who is also the head doctor, wants her to undergo a massive surgery that costs money – a lot of money. My mind keeps contemplating on whether he actually believes that this surgery will improve her health, or if he is mostly concerned with the large amount of money this operation will bring in. My hands are tied and I am dealing with a difficult situation. Do I perform the surgery, in order to keep my job, or do I follow my heart and advise my patient attend physical therapy?

Meeting Time Speech
Good afternoon everyone and thank you for taking the time out of your hectic day, to join me in this emergency staff meeting. As some of you may know, my name is Taylor Kaine and I am one of the physicians here at Luke Richards Hospital.

Coming into my job,I knew it was not going to be easy but I never thought my personal morals would be put to the test. I became a doctor because I believed helping people would be the main aspect of my job; I also assumed it would be my boss’s top priority. I was wrong. Maybe curing people is just a part of his plan to earn millions of dollars. These thoughts rolled through my mind when our boss, Dr. Jason Pickna, confronted me yeasterday and asked me why on earth I would recommend my previous patient to attend physical therapy. As some of you may know, the patient I am speaking of is Cathy. Many of you have worked with her before and know that she has some back problems. Considering the amount of time I have spent with her, I thought that sending her to a therapist would be the best way to cure her aching back, but of course, he thought otherwise. He stared at me blankly and with a serious tone informed me that undergoing massive surgery was the one and only way her back could be cured.

That night, I returned home and conducted some research. I found out that this surgery had a 65% chance of improving the condition of my patient’s back, which is a decent chance don't get me wrong, but I also found out that it costs $415,000. I began to wonder whether our boss wanted me to perform this surgery because he thought it would -- without a doubt -- improve her health, or if he was mainly concerned with the large amount of money this operation would bring in.

Now that you understand my situation, you are able to realize that it's complicated and I will have to make a decision that will alter who I am as a person. Am I a person of money or am I a person of morals? Will I do what I believe is wrong, in order to keep my job? Or will I do what is right, in order to save myself a long life of regret?

In high school, many of you have probably read the novel Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. For those of you who have not read it, my complex job experience is similar to the main character, Guy Montag’s, situation. In this novel, Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to burn books along with the houses in which they are located. He never questioned the excitement he encountered while burning page after page, but this all changes when he meets a young girl. Seventeen year old Clarisse tells Montag about a time when people did not fear change or being different and because if this, books were not destroyed. After the discussion, Guy remembers the time when he was essentially asked to commit murder because a woman refused to leave her house that his men were soon going to burn. Once the memory was finished replaying in his head, Guy’s mindset changes and he begins to wonder if his job as a fireman is really ethical. Montag realizes -- after much consideration -- that he can no longer pursue his job because it goes against what he believes to be morally correct. In order for him to escape his old life and start fresh, he decides to quit and run. Little did he know that running away was a tragic mistake and that is why I have decided to face reality.

Despite the different routes we took in making our decisions, Montag’s character assisted me in making my final decision. I will not run away, but I will not continue to do what I believe is wrong. Because I am a doctor, I feel as though I owe my patients the best treatment they can get. In order to pursue this emotion, I must send Cathy to physical therapy and in doing so I am hoping to maintain my job. As I begin to ponder the ways I could inform Dr. Pickna of my decision, I realize how much of a benefit having everyone with me would be.

I am planning on holding another meeting next Wednesday, at 7:00 A.M. before any of us have appointments, but instead of only asking you, my fellow coworkers, to attend I will also be inviting our boss to join us. If any of you decide to attend, then more power will be given to us, a group, and the chances of me keeping my job will increase. All of you being there would provide me with the extra amount of support I need to get my point across. For those of you who will not come, I appreciate you taking the time to sit here and listen to what I have to say. If Wednesday comes and I am left alone without anyone to support me, then I will assume that many of you do not agree that this stand is worth losing my job over. The fact is, I do feel this is worth fighting for and I will not settle for anything less than what I believe is right. If – as a result of my determination – I am asked to leave my job as a doctor, then so be it.

Throughout this experience, my personal morals have been put to the test, but I believe that if we are successful and I manage to keep my job, then this event has the potential to inspire other doctors who are placed in similar situations. When they realize how much power a team of physicians had against the head surgeon, they will gain more confidence; they will understand that speaking out when they disagree is better than hiding away in the dust. Whether it be in health care or any other industry, this event could change lives. It will teach individuals that “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence and you will live a satisfied life.” ~Author Unknown.

Thank you again for listening and I hope to see most of you on Wednesday.

Out of Flames Brings a Forgiving Heart

When a person lives in the shadow of their tragic past, they may lose the ability to forgive. The dark cloud that hovers over their lives makes it impossible for them to continue moving on; it is as if they are trapped in their own burdens. In the novel, Great Expectations, Charles Dickens presents us with a character that lives in regret, revenge, and remorse but after burning up in the flames of a massive fire, experiences the purifying affects of forgiveness.

After Miss Havisham is generously forgiven by Pip, she feels awkward and unworthy of his kindness; this feeling of forgiveness makes her realize she has been living a desolate life. Fire, a symbol of cleanliness, is used to represent Miss Havisham stripping away the layers of the cocoon that she has woven around herself over the years. "I still held her forcibly down...like a prisoner who might escape, and I doubt if I even knew who she was...or that she had been in flames, or that the flames were out, until I saw the patches of tinder that had been her garments, no longer alight, but falling in a black shower around us.” (p. 404) In this quote, Dickens uses the fire to burn away the darkness of Miss Havisham's past. Once Pip had told her he would forgive her, it opened Miss Havisham's eyes to a whole new world -- a world with light and a future -- and she realizes that all along she could have easily forgiven those who hurt her. When we, as sinful people, are forgiven it provides us with a new beginning – a new chapter in our lives. When we forgive others, we further educate them on the idea of forgiveness and allow them to turn to the next page in their lives.

As Havisham’s body burns up in flames, all of the spiders and other insects that lurked in the corners of her old darkened house quickly flee as if they no longer belong there. “Then I looked round and saw the disturbed beetles and spiders running away over the floor, and the servants coming in with breathless cries at the door.” (p. 404) During this scene, Dickens illustrates – through the tragic symbolism of these insects – that as they are escaping her home, tragedy is escaping her body, her life, her mind and opening a door to a more merciful and forbearing life. In the second part of this quote, Dickens states that many servants begin to cry; they believe the fire has taken her life. Throughout this scene, symbolism shows that she has not died but simply been born again; the fire is giving her an opportunity to start fresh. Throughout this chapter, and many other chapters, the idea of change comes into play. In Miss Havisham’s situation, she believed that change and having a forgiving heart was impossible but when given an ounce of mercy, she knew her only escape route was to burn all her resentment away.

In life, there are people who live in complete anger; many times the anger relates back to a tragic event that happened in their past. When the emotion is held long enough, it grows stronger and ends up trapping them in a cloud of their own burdens. In the novel, Great Expectations, Charles Dickens provides us with an accurate example of what happens to someone when they hold on to their past and spend their entire life living in it. Using fire to symbolize a healthy escapism, he illustrates that people who hold on, never forgive and those who forgive, always move on.

When is the right time to honor our Veteran's?

A military hero is any man or woman who is brave enough to defend and serve for the freedom of our country. Because they risk their lives, there is never a wrong time to honor their heroic actions they have put forth for the sake of our country, the United States of America. Elmer Davis quotes “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is home of the brave” and by this he is stating that without people who are willing to fight, there is no freedom and so it is to them we owe our freedom. Freedom is not free and comes with a high price, which is that of blood and innocent lives. We, as free people of the U.S.A ought not to take our freedom for granted but continuously be grateful for those who make everyday life less worrisome.

Once, every year, on November 11th, we remember the men and women who have served over a long period of time. Not only do we mourn those we have lost, but we honor and show our gratitude for those who are still with us today. Throughout history, veterans have showed their bravery, whether it was fighting in the Revolutionary War, American Revolution, or even those who have served in Iraq. Although we must pay respect for those men and women who have served, we also need to pray for those who are serving this country right now.

Veteran’s Day should not be the only day set aside to remember those who have fought and there should to be an annual holiday to reflect on those soldiers who are currently on the battlefield. Because many people in this world have been born into freedom, it is easy for them to take their liberty for granted, given they have never been without it, but people of all ages should constantly be giving thanks to their veterans and soldiers. Just like Jesus sacrificed his own life so that we may live in peace, soldiers and veterans fight in order for us to have the privilege of living a life of safety and most importantly freedom. Since no one is forcing them to serve our country and they are voluntarily risking their lives, they deserve more than one day of honor and should be remembered for their heroic acts throughout the entire year.

Essay on the Good Earth

In the early 20th century, China was a very different world; the women had no rights and poverty was destroying many people and families. Throughout the novel, The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck displays her strong emotion over how poorly men treated women and illustrates that in a marriage women were objectified instead of adored. The main character, Wang Lung, clearly demonstrates the way men may act if they lose sense of their moral compass.

As a young man, Wang Lung is beginning to realize that he may not be able to tend the land and keep him and his father well fed and healthy. To ease his mind, he decides to go to the House of Hwang and buy a wife; this concept of “buying” a wife already proves that women were thought of as purchasable items. “Her eyes were small and of dull black in color and were filled with sadness that was not clearly expressed. It was a face that seemed habitually silent and unspeaking as though it would not speak if it could.” (p.19) Wang and his father spent much time talking to each other about how it was not beauty in a woman that mattered but how hard she worked. In this quote the way Wang Lung describes the woman, O-lan, confirms that he truly believe that she is dull, yet not ugly, and knows that even though she is quiet she will be hardworking and faithful.

During the course of the first week, O-lan immediately settles in and acts as though she has been working for Wang Lung her whole life; she is not one of many words, yet what does come out of her mouth is always wise and knowledgeable. “He felt as though the night must have changed him; yet here was this woman rising from his bed as though she had risen every day of her life.” (p.25) O-lan works hard on the land and takes good care of the old man. This quote tells the story of a woman who came from a troubled background yet puts all her cares behind her and works hard for Wang Lung. The concept of men treating women unfairly is shady in this part of the novel, seeing as though O-lan is just doing her duty as a slave, but the fact that woman were slaves and were eligible to be bought and sold, proves that it was not only men who were cruel to women but the entire empire of China.

Although Wang Lung has not yet shown the evil man money, and selfish ambition has turned him into, his decision to take away O-lan’s pearls in order to go the tea house a buy himself a concubine, reveals the true man Wang has become. Because he knows he will soon be bringing another woman into the house, he strips O-lan of her only wealth, lessening the chances of her leaving him and starting a new life somewhere else; she will have to continue to live and work under the control of Wang. This idea of controlling people by money is very similar to the ways of a communist country. Not only did Wang Lung take away O-lan’s pearls, but she will now have to suffer a life of watching her husband be filled with the satisfaction that she could never provide for him. "But O-lan returned to the beating of her clothes and when tears dropped slowly and heavily from her eyes she did not put her hand up to wipe them away." (p.188) This quote illustrates how strong of a women O-lan is and how evil of a man Wang has become. By taking away her pearls, he has taken away the thing that made her beautiful and turned her into an animal that can no longer be filled with love. Wang has lost the ability to morally decide for himself and because of this he strips O-lan of her identity as a wife and as an individual woman.


In addition to taking away O-lan’s pearls, Wang goes to town and buys himself a concubine named Lotus. As Wang Lung becomes wealthier and wealthier he believes he deserves a more beautiful woman to keep him company – leaving the loyal and faithful one behind. As money begins to seduce his mind he no longer wants a hardworking woman by his side but one whose outward appearance is more pleasing to him than O-lan’s. "And it seemed to Wang Lung that he looked at O-lan for the first time in his life and he saw for the first time that she was a woman who no man could call other than she was, a dull and common creature, who plodded in silence without a thought of how she appeared to others." (p. 169) The point that Buck is trying to get across, is when someone gets too caught up in worldly pleasures they can lose their ability to love. Through Wang Lung, Buck demonstrates the way men thought women were tradable objects; they cared more about their personal desires and less about the trouble they are causing others.

Buck describes the life of Wang Lung, a man who grew up in poverty and changed into a monster who had no respect for women, or anyone else besides himself. Because Buck spent most of her life in China, she was exposed to many instances where woman were being treated like objects and because of this, she felt compelled to address her emotions toward the issue. People in that past have taken advantage of women; they treat them as though they are creatures of nature who have no feelings. Even in today’s world these types of acts continue to be seen and not only are they from men to women. In the novel, The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck provides many examples of how women were treated unfairly by men and how in a relationship women were thought of as objects and not real human beings who need love and nourishment to live a normal healthy life.