2 Noah Nishihara T09 Timed Essay Response

 

The question: What is Alex's metaphorical journey? How does he change in the course of  the journey? How is his journey affected by other  people? %at                           are the challenges to  his way of thinking and  being? Are such journeys possible in real life?

Prescribed  text: City of the  Beasts,  Isabel Allende 2002

 

Response by: Noah Nishihara      Wednesday, 3 August 2016

 

ln Isabel Allende's City of the Beasts, Alex's metaphorical journey is symbolised by his process of self­ discovery. The first of these is his recognition of change. A second kind is his response cowards the many obstacles to his thinking and being. Perhaps the most important aspect of this process is that of the way in which he identifies himself through others. The characters' expedition to a forest landscape enables Allende co examine the true self of each member of the expedition. Tn the course of the trip, Alex finds a purpose in life, becomes more considerate of others, and exhibits more qualities of the mature adult. Tt will be shown that the teenage transition is often accelerated by having a greater contact with people from different cultures.

Alex's change in the story is clearly shown through his actions of caring for others. This is seen in the way he 'got up too, prepared to keep her company' , during the dangerous nights, and is also the reason for him being elected to become the chief for negotiating with the nahab. Moreover, when the Indians employ him to save their tribe leader, he remembers his father: 'John ,•,rould think first of the victim, then himself' His devotion to saving the People of the Mist can be inferred from the dialo gue, 'Tt's more interesting to write about the People of . . . hasn 't changed for thousands of years, and it can disappear at any moment... a little justice to life here... soon other evil people will be committing crimes in this part of the world with the same impunity as always." Even his grandmother muse admit: 'you have matured a lot in these weeks Alexander.' Consequen tly, his 'self' will be ve1y different from when he first set foot outside of California. The process of change is always followed by recognition on his pan, and therefore he identifies his self.

The  events of the novel and  the forest  environment  present  the  greatest  challenges  to   Alexander's previous thoughts and habits of lifestyle. Since the characterization of  the  members of the expedition  and  the Indians give him material to reshape his own self, so does the setting, in its great power to shape its inhabit.ants or  destroy them. Evidently,  the considerar.ions for his mo ther, family and  the People of  the Mist  become gradually  more  powerful. When the  water of health  ceases to flow, he  realises that 'this   water of health was the  most valuable thing  in the  world to  him,    the only thing that could  save his

mothe r' s li fe,' thereby bringing himself r.o give away his most. prized possession. Tn add it.ion to chis, the lack of edible material of his liking, supernatural occurrences, and  the increasingly threatening  nature become pan of the process in which not only Alex, but all humans strive to stay content with events and surroundings.

Through the profound effect that the influences of other characters have brought Alex, the way in which the development of people is shaped by others can be inferred. Kate gives advice to  Alex frequently, 'I was going co tell you to learn to trust yourself', 'senses are subjective' are some of them. However, the people that truly affect Alex can be found elsewhere, in the chance meetings with people waiting for the bus, or in a friend. These people can act as a mirror, subsequently allowing Alex to identify himsel[ Those who are dangerous, such as Captain Ariosto, will further his value of the life of others. Also, role models provide the best way to learn, which includes observing the actions, thinking them through and remembering them. Allende's characterization has proven that the effec1: of other people can have an enormous role in identifying yourself.

The key of self-discovery is to 'awaken the sleeping consciousness', and then gain insight into your character.To become improve from before may be the aim of self-discovery. Alex has pursued happiness in this novel by adapting to fit into the environment. He discovers this change when he thinks of the process. Similarly, in our own 'real lives', we may undertake such a journey when we travel to a different environment and encounter different  people.