The idea of a “journey” in White and Walker
- White, Once more to the lake
White primarily wants to emphasize on the performance of specific things or rather the memory of some things despite various factors linked to the continual transformation that happens worldwide. White adds, though the lake didn’t change, his essay denotes that there are specific changes in things that are distinct in the lake. A book first published in 1941 in its idea of a “journey” identifies memories connected to White’s childhood and the lake. Primarily, the journey in his mindset is transformed to go back to childhood which makes his enjoy the whole journey. In addition to altered perceptions linked to the actual lake, it is vivid in explaining a departure to reality I from the incidence of childhood. His efforts to see the life journey outcome is fixed to his childhood and the lakefront experiences. In his idea of a journey, White primarily tends to explain the permanence of particular things or rather the memory of certain objects regardless of the continual changes happening around the world.
Precisely, via his interesting story based on the scenes experienced from the lakefront and being disturbed with images in the lake showing boats, White tends to explain to the reader that technology can be disruptive. Despite its advantages linked to time-saving in addition to other aspects, technology can make things noisier and that it has negative side effects. Also, White describes how certain things do not change regardless of the journey at hand or even the underlying principle. Take for instance his explanation of personal thoughts and feelings towards something. Regardless of the information or activities put in place, someone’s mentality might serve as drawbacks with ideas such as those of the lake remaining unchanged.
- Walker, Beauty: When the other dancer is the self
In Alice Walker’s “Beauty”: When the Other Dancer is the self-drives point back home that the idea of beauty is based specifically on an individual’s perception. She, for instance, states that “I pray for beauty” and that is not until she has to undergo a serious surgical procedure to improve to the world the appearance of her which finally makes him feel the acceptance of her. Profoundly, her perception of beauty is generated from her life-long journey to positively accept herself based on the tragic accident she experiences as a young child which left blind and deformed her right eye.
In her journey of self-discovery, Walker uniquely transforms from a vein-conceited child who is praised and admired to a young woman overwhelmed after the accident. She is connected to feelings of worthlessness which consistent emotions of face harassment. The whole later is also replaced with incidences of rejection and several life changes activities in the life-long journey. Self-destructive aspects are highly involved throughout her life with statements such as, “That night, as I do almost every night, I abuse my eye; I rant and rave at it, in front of the mirror. I plead with it to clear up before morning. I hate and despise it. I do not pray for sight. I pray for beauty,” included. Generally, Walker sends a specific message to the reader which is the journey of self-acceptance and that it is essential as opposed to trying to conform to people of the world on beauty standards. People should live to accept who they are externally and internally because as one comes in peace with their outer characteristics like flaws, one gains confidence, happiness, self-worth, and faith in oneself.
Works Cited
Walker A. Beauty: When the Other Dancer is self (1944): 589-599.
White E.B. Once more to the lake (1941): 1-5.