Reflections 3

Ok. Enough of Guy de Maupassant.

The Ambitious Guest
By Nathaniel Hawthorne

This is another interesting short story. It seems so full of hope and life at the beginning, the family is warm and happy although alone, the stranger is knowledgeable and well-read. Then the grandmother starts talking about death. And a surprising and dramatic ending.

At the start of the story, my impression of the family is that of a closely knit one; they stay together all alone, they entertain guests occasionally, and they live every day knowing that the mountain could send snow and other debris on them anytime. What a life. It seems so peaceful compared with what I do everyday, but I suppose if I were to live that kind of life, I would be bored in no time. But I rather envy their quiet and peaceful life. It is indeed heartwarming to be met with such warmth and kindness after traveling long and hard.

It seems such a contrast that such a family would be living among harsh surroundings, in fear of their lives every moment. I wonder why they did not leave even though they knew their lives were in danger from the mountain. Is it just complacency? No, for they did make arrangements in case of an emergency. Then is it just plain simple trust?

This young person seems very certain that he will be able to build his own monument. Bet he didn't know he would be crushed alive."Then, let Death come! I shall have built my monument!" That's one overconfident person. He tempted Death one too many times.

The guest and the girl present two extremes: one is overly confident and ambitious, the other is too content. There's quite a fine line between them, and its quite a tricky balancing act.

In the young child, we can see this nature of man- to do the impossible. In the child, it is unrealistic. But in the guest, though it is still present, it is more realistic. The child dreams more of fantasies, the guest more of fame.

When the story reaches the part where the guest speaks to the girl, the family seems to be at its "golden era", where the future is bright, and every thing is possible. This atmosphere is also brought about by the guest, and it really contrasts with what happens later.

And then the land slide occurs. It is so sudden as it happens when the story and the feeling of hope are at the peak. And it is just so ironic! If the family had not thought so much, if they had just lived life simply and trusted fate as they had always done so and remained in the house, they would have been safe. As for the young man, he died exactly the way he had described, unknown and undistinguished, except for the tragedy that made them famous. How ironic! His wonderment at the way sailors died unknown and forgotten was a curse that came through. He had so much in front of him, so much planned, but within a minute, the life that was his was no more. A future that had seemed so bright was utterly crushed.

How I worry and fret sometimes! Its all based on the assumption that I will see tomorrow. How silly I am to worry, for it does nothing good. So many things could happen. But yet I can hope and expect tomorrow. Humans are strange. They plan so many things, and are surprised when death takes all away. But I guess it doesn't do to be paranoid either. Balancing is indeed a very fine act.