Susan
05-24-2005, 06:07 PM
After reading the previous comments on the book, I am saddened. It shows how immature our youth are today, especially when it comes to interpreting and analyzing literature. The themes presented in the book are ones that everyone, at one point or another, will be able to relate to and understand. Our youth are so caught up in their lives that many times they have no sympathy for those less fortunate, even if it is just characters in a novel. Ethan is faced with a dilemma: leave his wife and be happy or stay, like society demands, and be miserable. Today this would not be a dilemma; look at the divorce rate. How many of you out there have left (or will leave) a spouse and child to find greener pastures? Chances are, at least half of you. We are so concerned today with our own desires, that we no longer feel the restraints that society once imposed on us, and that is tragic. It is unfortunate that Ethan and Mattie felt that they had no other choice but to commit suicide, yes. But look at the consequences to their actions! I do appreciate the irony, however, that Zeena ends up caring for the two of them. In the end she received her reward.