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Essay / Fiction as Message: Kingsolver's "Animal Dreams"
In Mother Teresa's poem "Do It Anywhere," the famous missionary reflects on the many misfortunes that occur in daily life and advises those facing to these problems continue to act with kindness. As she advises her readers: “Give your best, and it will never be enough. Do your best anyway. » In her novel Animal Dreams, Barbara Kingsolver gives equally inspiring advice on how to make the most of each day and live gracefully despite challenges. This author meticulously creates multiple characters to offer pieces of her own opinions on what it takes to fulfill the responsibilities of being a healthy person. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Although Kingsolver's character, Doc Homer, exhibits a variety of quirky habits and displays his emotions in different ways, his mannerisms prove that it is essential for everyone to love those around them, even though they may be It’s hard to bring out these feelings. At several points in the novel, this father figure seems quite distant and apathetic. However, what appears as dissociation from the outside turns out to be a deep affection. First, in a chapter focusing on Doc Homer, Kingsolver describes him as a “spider, driven by different instincts. He remains mute, hearing only in the tactile way a spider hears, touching the threads of the web with the tips of his long outstretched fingers and listening. Listening to trapped life” (98). We conclude that if Doc Homer really didn't care about his family, he wouldn't be so attentive. The “instincts” Kingsolver refers to function as his paternal, caring instincts. Additionally, the practicality that Doc Homer developed after years of working as a doctor is reflected in his relationship with his daughters. For example, when the girls' neighbor and guardian gives the two sisters a set of cowboy boots, hats, toy guns and holsters, Doc Homer decides to take away "the guns, for the preservation of their souls, and the boots on account”. of their arches. He let them keep the hats” (170). It is likely that the girls, due to their youth, did not understand their father's reasoning for taking control of what they viewed as toys. When the logic behind the decision is explained to him, it is clear that he forbade the use of guns and boots not as a limit on his affection, but as a measure of his deep care. Later, when Codi goes to the disorganized attic of her house, she explains her surprise by investigating. Codi describes that, to his amazement, there are “stacked boxes of Hallie and my old clothes, school papers. photo albums and all manner of other detritus were arranged in neat rows, labeled chronologically and by content. I felt overwhelmed by so much material evidence of our family's past” (281). Even if all these relics remain out of sight and therefore out of the minds of the two sisters, this arrangement does not detract from their existence. Doc Homer keeps the girls' memories even though he is aware that this expression of love will not be obvious to them. Kingsolver consistently demonstrates that the tools Doc Homer uses to express his emotions are slightly eclectic. She also uses her existence in the novel to express to the reader that it is vital for him to outwardly show affection, even if his methods are not entirely understood by others. Hallie, the designated inspirational hero of Animal Dreams,acts as Kingsolver's voice and device to evoke a powerful emotion in the novel's readers regarding how to live kindly. For example, in one of Codi's first descriptions of her sister, she emphasizes her strong and fervent desire to help the common good. She expresses her admiration when she describes that “few people know so clearly what they want. Most people don't even know what to expect when they throw a penny into a fountain” (36). This idolatry speaks volumes about Kingsolver's message with Hallie's presence in the novel; if one wants to be as celebrated as this global ambassador, he or she must identify his or her values and be rooted in them. Kingsolver addresses this virtue in another quote much later in the novel. In one of Hallie's letters to Codi, which constitute the only direct contact readers have with the protagonist's sister, she writes again about her core principle in which she is rooted. Hallie explains her outlook on life when she decides that "the least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for." And all you can do is live in that hope” (299). After considering that Hallie has, at this point, traveled to Nicaragua to teach people how to farm effectively, it is clear that Hallie has already established her own virtues. That being said, in addition to writing about her values, she also leads by example. Hallie again uses a quote in order to embody her and Kingsolver's shared interpretation of how one should live to the furthest and most fulfilling extent possible. ceremony that Cody organizes in Hallie's honor, the protagonist reads several quotes written by the late sister and those she admired. Codi reads a remark originally spoken by Father Fernando Cardenal toward his sister that says, “You learn to read that way. you can identify the reality in which you live, so that you can become a protagonist of the story rather than a spectator'” (326), a voracious reader, surely applies this statement to her life throughout the game of the novel where. she is alive. Additionally, by holding this quote in high regard for one of its characters, Kingsolver manipulates it as a message to its readers to encourage them to get involved in the issues they care about. Hallie, a global ambassador with seemingly endless sympathy for others, leads by example and through quotes to serve as a guide to the reader on how he or she should exist. Due to Loyd's troubled teenage past, which he recovers from as he reaches adulthood. , he learns that it is necessary to constantly evaluate himself and be aware of the moments when change becomes crucial. Codi and Loyd experienced tremendous growth after graduating from high school. When they catch up when Codi returns to Grace, it is visible that they have both matured considerably. For example, Loyd shares a remarkable statement when he asserts: "The spirits have been good enough to let us live here and use the utilities, and we say: We know how nice you are... Sorry if we have wasted. Nothing. You have gone to great lengths, and we will try to be good guests” (239). Loyd's growth and maturity are evident in his insight. He now realizes the importance of looking at situations from their full perspective. That being said, it must be considered that Loyd developed this mindset by evaluating his own attitude, and Kingsolver uses this exceptional example of advancement to employ Loyd as a leader. Earlier in the novel, when Codi accompanies Loyd to one of his cockfights, they begin to.