FINAL VERSION 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? What 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

In 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 towards 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 to examine the true self of each member of the expedition. In the course of the trip, Alex finds a purpose in life, becomes more considerate of others, and exhibits more qualities of the mature adult. It 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 would think first of the victim, then himself.’ His devotion to saving the People of the Mist can be inferred from the dialogue, ‘It’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 must admit: ‘you have matured a lot in these weeks Alexander.’ Consequently, his ‘self’ will be very different from when he first set foot outside of California. The process of change is always followed by recognition on his part, 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 inhabitants or destroy them. Evidently, the considerations for his mother, 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 mother’s life,’ thereby bringing himself to give away his most prized possession. In addition to this, the lack of edible material of his liking, supernatural occurrences, and the increasingly threatening nature become part 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 to 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 himself. 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 effect 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 happier and better than before is 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.