It is not difficult for one to be the same, but when one chooses to stand out there can be personal downfalls because of how society has shaped the individual. Different is defined as; not the same as another or each other; distinct, separate; not ordinary, unusual. The common component of these terms is they all hold a negative connotation. One who is different in society is looked upon as courageous and strong but there is no escape from its’ negative roots. Park experiences this difficulty when his relationship with Eleanor develops, and he is forced to question who he is. Park, who is considered a normal highschool boy changes through his exposure to a girl, Eleanor, who learns to accept herself and not dwell on what others think of her.
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This is the point where he decides that she is more important than the beliefs of other people. Eleanor resembles an escape for Park, and through her, he was able to neglect others beliefs of their relationship and could embrace Eleanor for who she was. Them being together was, “like their lives were overlapping lines like they had their own gravity. Usually, that serendipity thing felt like the nicest thing the universe had ever done for her” (Rowell 145). This gravity Park depicts is him being able to rise above the ideals of his friends and family. He is so consumed by his love for her, that she becomes a priority over everything else in his life. Park expresses this when telling Eleanor, “Nothing before you counts,” he said. “And I can’t even imagine an after” (Rowell 237). Park emphasizes how his past of conforming to others beliefs will no longer influence him because he has …show more content…
Park declines his friend's suggestion for a new girlfriend. His inconsideration of his friend’s opinion further establishes his satisfaction with being different. Eleanor’s importance to Park gives him the strength to be able to fight against what he has believed for so long. Eleanor evolved from “someone he’d never met to the only one who mattered.” ( Rowell 165). She drives Park to break away from who he had always wanted to be, to who he truly was. Park is inspired by Eleanor to embrace himself and begins to dress more true to himself. His mother questions his choice of style, "Park," she said, "do you… want to look like girl? Is that what this about? Eleanor dress like boy. You look like girl?"
"No…" Park said. "I just like it. I like the way it feels."
"Like girl?"
"No," he said. "Like myself."” (Rowell 221). Park has the courage to present himself the way he sees himself displaying his self-acceptance. Eleanor’s personal embracement of who she is encourages Park to overcome adversity and no longer fear disapproval.
Park begins as someone who would naturally feel the need to change himself for others to one who is comfortable with who he is. Park centered his life on what others thought of him but when meeting Eleanor was able to overcome his fear of being who he really was. Park is able to accept himself through the influence of Eleanor and expresses who he truly wishes to
This is the point where he decides that she is more important than the beliefs of other people. Eleanor resembles an escape for Park, and through her, he was able to neglect others beliefs of their relationship and could embrace Eleanor for who she was. Them being together was, “like their lives were overlapping lines like they had their own gravity. Usually, that serendipity thing felt like the nicest thing the universe had ever done for her” (Rowell 145). This gravity Park depicts is him being able to rise above the ideals of his friends and family. He is so consumed by his love for her, that she becomes a priority over everything else in his life. Park expresses this when telling Eleanor, “Nothing before you counts,” he said. “And I can’t even imagine an after” (Rowell 237). Park emphasizes how his past of conforming to others beliefs will no longer influence him because he has …show more content…
Park declines his friend's suggestion for a new girlfriend. His inconsideration of his friend’s opinion further establishes his satisfaction with being different. Eleanor’s importance to Park gives him the strength to be able to fight against what he has believed for so long. Eleanor evolved from “someone he’d never met to the only one who mattered.” ( Rowell 165). She drives Park to break away from who he had always wanted to be, to who he truly was. Park is inspired by Eleanor to embrace himself and begins to dress more true to himself. His mother questions his choice of style, "Park," she said, "do you… want to look like girl? Is that what this about? Eleanor dress like boy. You look like girl?"
"No…" Park said. "I just like it. I like the way it feels."
"Like girl?"
"No," he said. "Like myself."” (Rowell 221). Park has the courage to present himself the way he sees himself displaying his self-acceptance. Eleanor’s personal embracement of who she is encourages Park to overcome adversity and no longer fear disapproval.
Park begins as someone who would naturally feel the need to change himself for others to one who is comfortable with who he is. Park centered his life on what others thought of him but when meeting Eleanor was able to overcome his fear of being who he really was. Park is able to accept himself through the influence of Eleanor and expresses who he truly wishes to