As school is coming to a close, an important reflection is to be made."Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." Buddha said this quote to help put our egos back into place. This is very relevant to the literature that we read this semester, particularly this month. In class we read, The Stranger, which portals about a man who did not fit in societal norms. As seniors in high school, it is important in our development to experiment and branch out to find ourselves. Meursault, the protagonist, is much different that his normal society. By Meursault emotional disconnection, socially unaware on how to behave, and relationships, his life style is similar to how a freshman develops into a senior in High School.
Every person goes through a disconnection period in their lives. For most, it happens during a death of a loved one, or having a occurrence happen like breaking up with a significant other. Whether the case, Meursault has an emotional disconnection when his mother dies. He doesn't show his true affections like how society would like it to be shown. He stands out and that's why society doesn't accept him. This is similar to high school because students who stray from the norm are disconnected from rest. Emotional connection is allowing yourself to relate to someone, and it builds a network. If you cannot relate to someone, it is very hard to fit in.
Socially unaware how to behave in proper settings can lead to major judgement. In high school, if you act like a child you will be treated like a child. Even in the real world, if you aren't aware of your settings, horrible things can occur like car accidents or running into poles. It's also a societal norm to be careful what you say in front of others because in the United States, we worry too much about what others think. In The Stranger, Mersault is an extremely honest man. It's a shame to say that honesty is a flaw but that was Mersault fatal flaw. He didn't lie to save himself, he stayed true to who he was.
Lastly relationships have been built since the beginning of time. For a freshman, your first day of school can determine your 4 years at high school just based on the relationships made. You meet people everyday and create new relationships whether good or bad. Mesualt's relationships with other people were not really for his sake. He only became friends with his neighbor because he offered to make him dinner. His girlfriend Marie, only satisfies his needs of lust. Essentially he is a man all alone, he won't even accept God into his life.
Since this is my last blog ever, I would like to say farewell to my readers. Thank you for taking the time to read my true opinions on literature. As Robert Frost says, "Two roads diverge in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and it has made all the difference." My years at High School are coming to a close, and I have learned how to behave in society but still be myself.
Happy Summer Everyone~ Namaste
