A person can go through their whole life, without being knowledgeable to what it means to live. Some individuals live their lives according to what society says the proper way to live their lives is. The definition of life for some people is it’s a recurring cycle of life, survival then death but its way more than that. Statistics say that the average life span of an American male or female is 78 years old. Therefore, there is so much more to living, then life and death it means that an individual should live life day by day and never take anything for granted but appreciate everything while it’s there. In Jeanette Winterson’s essay, “The World and Other Places” she introduces a narrator that explains his life story and his background of coming
…show more content…
Many people face insecurities and low self-esteem because they try to change things they cannot control. As the narrator travels the world he encounters people who have set plans on how they can earn a living in life. However, these same individuals struggle with accepting themselves for who they are. It is interesting how Winterson introduces the characters by their name and their labels such as Tony/the beggar and Milan/the designer as if that is all people see them as a beggar and a designer. The question becomes are the labels all the individuals equal up to? Are the characters only known as the labels that are attached to them, instead of knowing them more than what they are labelled as. Milan faces this dilemma when she states “I’m not afraid of what I am. I’m afraid I will see what I am not” (Winterson, 288). Milan, achieves many things and she is in a place many people would want to be. However, she is not satisfied with the things she has already accomplished Milan is still aspiring for more. Milan does not believe she will ever be good enough. Along with the beggar he was once someone who had earned a living but lost it all by gambling. The beggar now struggles with being accepted and noticed by others and he is very disoriented by life and he states “Nobody use to look at me,’ he said. ‘Even when I had money, I was one of those guys who get …show more content…
The way a person lives their life is solely up to them. An individual should not have to conform to society’s living standards to live a gratifying life. Winterson proves this point when the co-pilot states “That’s not flying. That’s following the road” (286) meaning individuals who follow the road (how others expect them to live) will always be trapped and limited in their thoughts and will never be able to see life for what it is but will always look for more out it. Instead when someone flies their own plan, it gives the person a sense of freedom and independence. There will always be something better than the things one have but one will never be happy until they are pleased with themselves. People are suppose to live life without any regrets and cherish the time being. For example, Milan should not worry about what she is going to leave behind, she should just continue to try to be confident in herself. The beggar believes that money and being recognized by others will bring him joy. Tangible items will only bring someone momentary happiness but it will never be everlasting because one will always want more in life. The old woman is the illustration of someone who flies freely instead of “following the road” because she is happy with her life. the old woman with the dog serves as the example of how the
Many people face insecurities and low self-esteem because they try to change things they cannot control. As the narrator travels the world he encounters people who have set plans on how they can earn a living in life. However, these same individuals struggle with accepting themselves for who they are. It is interesting how Winterson introduces the characters by their name and their labels such as Tony/the beggar and Milan/the designer as if that is all people see them as a beggar and a designer. The question becomes are the labels all the individuals equal up to? Are the characters only known as the labels that are attached to them, instead of knowing them more than what they are labelled as. Milan faces this dilemma when she states “I’m not afraid of what I am. I’m afraid I will see what I am not” (Winterson, 288). Milan, achieves many things and she is in a place many people would want to be. However, she is not satisfied with the things she has already accomplished Milan is still aspiring for more. Milan does not believe she will ever be good enough. Along with the beggar he was once someone who had earned a living but lost it all by gambling. The beggar now struggles with being accepted and noticed by others and he is very disoriented by life and he states “Nobody use to look at me,’ he said. ‘Even when I had money, I was one of those guys who get …show more content…
The way a person lives their life is solely up to them. An individual should not have to conform to society’s living standards to live a gratifying life. Winterson proves this point when the co-pilot states “That’s not flying. That’s following the road” (286) meaning individuals who follow the road (how others expect them to live) will always be trapped and limited in their thoughts and will never be able to see life for what it is but will always look for more out it. Instead when someone flies their own plan, it gives the person a sense of freedom and independence. There will always be something better than the things one have but one will never be happy until they are pleased with themselves. People are suppose to live life without any regrets and cherish the time being. For example, Milan should not worry about what she is going to leave behind, she should just continue to try to be confident in herself. The beggar believes that money and being recognized by others will bring him joy. Tangible items will only bring someone momentary happiness but it will never be everlasting because one will always want more in life. The old woman is the illustration of someone who flies freely instead of “following the road” because she is happy with her life. the old woman with the dog serves as the example of how the