Sunday, June 24, 2018
Discussion 10: SON OF ITALY due JUNE 27
Before you start writing, READ the comments posted before yours.
Do not repeat the same argument. Find something new to talk about.
COMMENT
Pascal describes a childhood in conditions of wretched poverty and exploitation, of deprivation and suffering.
And yet, at a certain point, he says that "they were happy."
Is that "happiness" a result of total lack of self-awareness at that time; or is it the product of the passing of time, of looking back and re-inventing the past?
(And, don't be so sure your answer is the correct one.)
REPLY to a perspective you had not considered.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think Pascal really might have been happy. He can look back at his life and tell some funny stories and he can also share some history with his descendants. I also think that whenever you are with family, you can be happy. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, but as long as you have your family by your side you know everything will be okay.
ReplyDeleteI think this "happiness" came from a place of total lack of self-awareness at that time. I say that being in the time and place he grew up in, he knew nothing outside of his surroundings. Today, someone from a small village in Italy can easily see and desire the life we have here in America, through what they see in technology and media. Back then, they only knew of what they were told, they had no idea what was really in store for them.
ReplyDeletei agree it could have been him being naive to whats happening outsid of what he knows.
DeleteI agree that is such a good observation. It's all about perception.
DeleteI do think he was truly happy because of his family and his "tribe". Finding out they were moving to America for a better future should have been so exciting to them instead they were sad. They liked how small and close they were to one another and we can tell within the stories he told so vividly.
ReplyDeleteI think you referencing back to the idea of a "tribe" is important to consider when discussing happiness. They liked how small and close they were because you can tell most of them did not want to leave they were ultimately forced to.
DeleteI totally agree, but i have one question. Were they really forced to leave or was it just for the simple fact that if they wanted to make a better living that had to go to America, who in fact had a lot of jobs available at the time. And while their transportation was being taken care of by foreign companies in the West (America) isn't that more of a reason to leave and make a better living for their families rather than staying where it was hard to make ends meat?
Delete-This comment is for Naquel
I think that Pascal was happy. Everyone has their own definition of happiness and the saying that ignorance is bliss I think also comes into play. If the conditions he knew was all that he knew there was nothing else he had to compare it to. So I believe that he made the best of his circumstances and if that is what he was told happiness was, that is all he could go by.
ReplyDeleteI agree, ignorance is bliss, and in Pascal's case I feel his happiness probably grew even more when he reminisced on those childhood memories, as an adult, who was facing the trials and tribulations he faced in America.
DeleteI think Pascal was genuinely happy when he describes he life back in Italy as a child. Often times I feel that happiness is only measured by what world possessions we have, when in fact true happiness should come from within. The innocence of a child untainted by the struggles of adulthood is in my opinion genuine happiness, especially when the environment values and protects that happiness and innocence, in the way that the people of Pascals town did. Although they were poverty stricken they remained unified, all the parents parented the children and all the children respected all of the parents. The community was very strong and provided a supportive environment.
ReplyDeleteI can also agree, it can just come down to the simple things like family and togetherness. It's all they had to share amogst each other and I can see how someone can cherish that, even in the hardest of times.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that was meant as a reply to Rochelle's initial post.
DeleteI think Pascal was happy. When he made the decision to leave italy and go to America, it opened doors for him. He was able to prosper while he was in america, along with his family and gang he was able to live a happy life where he can recall various memories from happy to sad.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Pascal was truly happier in Italy, his family was all together and the word family is the true definition of happiness. His success in America happened because he took a chance however only a few have that chance. He didn't have much to keep him happy so learning english was his distraction from the hardship he faced in America.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Pascal was whether it be blissfully ignorant or complete naiveness,I believe that he was truly content with the life that he had back in Italy he did not want or needed anything all of his necessities were meant in terms of love and affection.Even though they lived in poverty the village were his life was and he was content in that oasis.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is due to the passing time and looking back and reinventing the past. In time, the memory fades away, both good and bad, only certain moments and emotions are remembered, but the feeling itself disappears after a while. This also could depend on a comparison of life now with a past life. In America, Pascal only had his father while in Italy he was surrounded by all his family. When a person is alone with his/her problem, he/she takes upon himself/herself all moral heaviness. He also had to work and survive in the new country. Meanwhile, in Italy he was still a boy who had a chance to enjoy his life.
ReplyDelete