Accepting the Passage of Time
E.B White’s story “Once More to the Lake” (1941) is an autobiographical essay that accounts of his childhood memory. Every summer his family went to the same lake for vacations. He gives vivid descriptions to paint a clear image in the reader’s mind of how the lake was their favorite camping and fishing place while he was a little boy. White used to visit the lake with his father, but in this story, he takes the position of his father while his son replaces him. The reflective essay highlights White's childhood memories and his struggle in dealing with getting older. This essay will show the importance of retrieving childhood memories as a way of solving an identity crisis, and accepting the passage of time.
The …show more content…
The aspect of dual existence comes to surface whenever White attempts to distinguish himself from his son. This aspect is more pronounced the second day when White goes fishing with his son at the lake, “I looked at the boy, who was silently watching his fly, and it was my hands that held the rod…” (White). Although he sees himself as a child, he is now aged, and a father, thus, he cannot do the things he used to do as a little boy. The concept of dual existence contributes to the theme of the passage of time because he used to go to the lake as a little boy with his father, but now he goes as a father. The dual existence is a hint that so much time has passed, and now White can accept that he is old now that is why he claims he can feel “ the chill of death”. Implying that he is now feeling old and aging is a …show more content…
When he states that, “we had a good week at camp…after the long hot day and the breeze would stir…” (White). The statement shows that he cherishes the experience at the lake because it brings him joy and happiness. White illuminates the abstract idea of the passage of time through the imagery of the moment, which is going to the lake. He illustrates that the lake has not changed, and it still gives him his childhood experience. The lake is like a constant that does not change, and White uses it to show how time has passed. Retrieving childhood memories happen to everyone, especially when one gets older. When people revisit a place they visited the most when they were young, such as school, it is always possible to recall childhood memories. Therefore, I agree with White’s idea that by visiting Maine Lake in his adulthood, he realizes that everything gradually changes with
E.B White’s story “Once More to the Lake” (1941) is an autobiographical essay that accounts of his childhood memory. Every summer his family went to the same lake for vacations. He gives vivid descriptions to paint a clear image in the reader’s mind of how the lake was their favorite camping and fishing place while he was a little boy. White used to visit the lake with his father, but in this story, he takes the position of his father while his son replaces him. The reflective essay highlights White's childhood memories and his struggle in dealing with getting older. This essay will show the importance of retrieving childhood memories as a way of solving an identity crisis, and accepting the passage of time.
The …show more content…
The aspect of dual existence comes to surface whenever White attempts to distinguish himself from his son. This aspect is more pronounced the second day when White goes fishing with his son at the lake, “I looked at the boy, who was silently watching his fly, and it was my hands that held the rod…” (White). Although he sees himself as a child, he is now aged, and a father, thus, he cannot do the things he used to do as a little boy. The concept of dual existence contributes to the theme of the passage of time because he used to go to the lake as a little boy with his father, but now he goes as a father. The dual existence is a hint that so much time has passed, and now White can accept that he is old now that is why he claims he can feel “ the chill of death”. Implying that he is now feeling old and aging is a …show more content…
When he states that, “we had a good week at camp…after the long hot day and the breeze would stir…” (White). The statement shows that he cherishes the experience at the lake because it brings him joy and happiness. White illuminates the abstract idea of the passage of time through the imagery of the moment, which is going to the lake. He illustrates that the lake has not changed, and it still gives him his childhood experience. The lake is like a constant that does not change, and White uses it to show how time has passed. Retrieving childhood memories happen to everyone, especially when one gets older. When people revisit a place they visited the most when they were young, such as school, it is always possible to recall childhood memories. Therefore, I agree with White’s idea that by visiting Maine Lake in his adulthood, he realizes that everything gradually changes with