Defining The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones depicts Susie Salmon, an average fourteen year old girl brutally raped and murdered and now observing the lives of her family, friends and killer, continue their lives without her. All characters, not just Susie, undergo a reconstructive process and gain a fresh perception of who they are. Defining oneself is a process, where events shape and mold us to our present selves but the process doesn't cease, it remains a continuation. Because situations call on us and ask us to make diffucult decisions, cope with a loss, do something out of character and the list continues. In the Lovely Bones, Susie truly comes into her own and her family digs deep within themselves in order to come of the coma their lives have adopted. 

Big Question Relationship to Metamorphosis

The idea of an insect in Kafka’s Metamorphosis, relates to the idea how do we define ourselves in many attributes. When first introduced to the character, Gregor he is basically his family's sole breadwinner. Providing his family with a comfortable life doesn't define him as a selfish character, only a dreary one, since his family cares little for his well- being, except in a few instances where his sister demonstrated some kind affection. Along with this generalized chracteristics, Gregor is also introduced as man who has awoken, only to find out his is indeed, transformed into an insect.

It's mainly the sense of being an insect that defines Gregor. He only cares for the well-being of his family but in the process, overlooks his well-being and forgets to pay himself attention, not just his family. Economic reality over-shadows Gregor in the demanding process of determining what he is becoming. Another insight into the definition of his character appears when a clerk from his comes to demand an explanation for his absence. This depicts the tremendous burden Gregor carries.

Overall, Gregor defines himself as a man (insect) struggling between the paradox of living for his family and living for himself.

How do we define who we are?

A person defines themself based on individual experience. Our actions, no matter how small they may be, leave a mark. The choices that are made, accomplishments, jobs, friends, all contribute to truly deciding who a person is, it’s a reflection. I liked this question because it propelled me to stop and think, how have I defined myself?
Organizations do define people because they imply our interests to those around us. Being a member of the newspaper has defined me in numerous ways. Besides having to be responsible, you have to be confident and able to make split decision. Newspaper also bring out those who are shy, I can be a somewhat shy person and it has forced me to be comfortable when meeting new people, since I often do a story on a student or teacher I have never be aquatinted with.
In the end, I hope I've defined myself as a proud daughter, devoted friend, determined worker, genuine and selfless as well as a person who never gave up, no matter how difficult the circumstances might have been.

A film that relates to my big question

One of my favorite films is Marie Antoinette, it may not always be historically accurate but you get the gist. The film is definitely a journey for her and how she adjusts to new life at Versailles, and of course, how she defines herself. Antoinette was a bride at sixteen, so she had to adjust to restrictive court life at an early age. Basically, her whole life became one big schedule; she was never able to be a teenager. She had to make the leap from child to adult very quickly. This was the catalyst for Antoinette’s lavish lifestyle. After she was established as queen, her rebellion was spending on pretty much anything she desired and fueling her inventive temperament. When the U.S rebelled against England, they allied with France, who sent money to aid in funding. To the people of France, she had defined herself as a cold, bitter queen who cared little for the suffering her people had to endure, since taxes had been raised sharply. In reality, she did care for her people, she was just too isolated to really understand the impact the French people were going through. Ultimately, she defined herself as a young child wanting to simply be able to do what she wished, instead of having such a restrictive life.

Other novels that relate to my big question

Becky Sharp, one of the most famous female heroines of all time in the novel Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray, immediately came to mind, in reference to my big question. One of the novels main focul points was satirizing society in early ninteenth century England. Becky is vying to be apart of high society and is more than determined to fufill that ambition. Strong-willed, astute, confident and witty are pertinant charactertistics of Becky and they all appear to be positive, but indeed they cement her fate.

Her social stature or her family and friends is the ultimate descision she has to face and through this, she defines who she is. Becky has never known what is it like to have finanial security, so it is natural that she desires this but she soon finds that it comes with price. But in the process, her decisions cause her nothing but pain. She can never be the person she wants because she’s constantly morphing herself into someone she can never be. She ultimatley defines herself as a cold mother, untrustworthy wife and mainpualtive friend.

Though this is a somewhat negetive response to the big question, its perfectly valid bcause it demonstrates how we cannot change who we are, but we can make peace and value the characterisitcs that define and make each person truly extraordinary. In Becky’s case, she never made peace with herself.

Although Becky may not be literature’s favorite character, she is famous for her distinct personality and demonstrates how every decision we make, minor or major, effects us and defines us.