What is the truth and what is a lie?
From an early age, we have been told what's the truth and what is not.
Me always struggling in math is a truth, but devastatingly enough, the phenomena of Santa Claus is not.
Truth and Lie. Have always been Black and White.
One can never be the other, but one can never exist without the other.
Sadly enough... much of my original thoughts about these two were brought to the test when thought of as truth and fiction
Quite honestly I always thought everything was a bit overanalyzed in English classes. I mean we invest more time dissecting a book and figuring out the author's motive than probably the author did himself
But this time, surprisingly enough, analyzing The Things They Carried actually made sense
This book, I'll admit, wasn't so bad at first like it was kind of boring but it was no Huckleberry Finn (Sorry Mr. Twain)
But once Tim O'Brien said that almost everything he said was just fiction, I literally had to put my book down and walk away
Like that's just not okay
But then I realized that I spent 170 pages reading a book and just assuming that just because the character's name was also O'Brien, it would be non-fiction
And if I had accidentally missed that chapter or not read it carefully, I would have always continued to think it was non-fiction
I mean how could I not... "When she was nine, my daughter Kathleen asked if I had ever killed anyone... 'You keep writing these war stories... so I guessed you must've killed someone'" (O'Brien 135). It makes complete sense. O'Brien was in the war and now he's a writer- both the character and in real life- but I was so very wrong.
Looking back at the book now, there are definitely some things I can agree to:
1. one man's truth can be another man's fiction: two people can perceive the same event in totally different ways and both think they know the truth (trust me, I also feel like I know nothing now)
2. there are some definite truths (this blog is due by 5 am, no exception) but also somethings that will never be resolved (I'm still working on being okay with that)
That's all for now.
First and foremost, I love the theme of your blog! 10 out of 10 would recommend.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your analysis of the truth and a lie, I thought it was interesting, and true ;), when you said one can't be the other, but also one can't exist without the other.
Time for debate!!
Though it was nicely put, I disagree with point number one. In my view, "one man's truth" does not exist: only the absolute truth exists. Instead, it would be one man's perspective of the truth which would differ from another man's perspective of that same truth.
Your voice shines through so clearly in this post! It creates such an entertaining flow throughout the entire piece.
ReplyDeleteI really, really enjoyed the part where you talked about how you struggling in math was the truth, and Santa Claus was not, it was great. Incredible job:)
Esha! Loved your analysis of this mind boggling idea. You are very clear in stating your points, like your reference of the distinction between black and white. It's all about perspective, there is no exact truth right? Nice post:) And yes, this blog is due before 5 am...made it!
ReplyDeleteEsha!
ReplyDeleteJust like what Marisa said, I loved how your voice shined through in this post! All the things you added with parenthesis were very entertaining and interesting. It felt like you were reading this out loud right next to me! I especially liked how all of your examples were relatable like suffering from math and not liking Huck Finn so much!