In Chapter 2, Albert Knox states that
"It seems as if in the process of growing up we lose the ability to wonder about the world."
What does he mean? Do you agree with him? Explain why or why not, using examples from this first section of the novel (pp. 1-120) and your own life experiences.
From the book we understand how Knox’s judgment can be true. As we grow, everyday becomes a familiar pattern and the world no longer amazes us when we sit comfortably in this “habit”. We see things the way they “are” and the ability to wonder is lost when we are not seeing things for the first time anymore. Yet when we are not wondering about how these things have come to exist we can never fully appreciate them. We can never fully appreciate life if we never challenge where it came from or the reason behind it. Those that realize this will never cease to wonder even in their adult life. So no, I don’t agree with Albert Knox –so long as we seek greater meaning to appreciate life, we will never lose the ability to wonder. I have had such experience myself… I came upon the questioning of my purpose and existence in the most peculiar way. I was lying awake at night staring into the dark and I started to wonder what we were without light. When we’re completely alone, seeing nothing, hearing nothing and feeling nothing –what are we? I’m a student and tomorrow I have school so I should probably sleep now….but (do forgive me, Mr. Jabal) school did not seem important anymore because when you ask these questions and challenge life, it seems that all material things are simply material –unimportant, unrelated or even insignificant. They do not mean anything unless there is a purpose to it being there. So I wondered. I am an adolescent, considered by society as “in the process of growing up” and I still wondered –Knox is wrong.
2 comments:
From reading your blog, you have definitely put alot of thought into it, so well done!
Well from your blog, you seem to implying that the ability to wonder helps us appreciate the things that we have. But have you ever thought about the ability to wonder as a way of finding out more for yourself and getting to learn and experience more instead?
Hurray, my last ever comment for anybody's assignment 1. Feel honoured.
Vicki
I agree with you Joei..but like Vicki said, have you ever thought about the ability to wonder as a way of finding out more for yourself and getting to learn and experience more instead?
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