Destiny

            In the novel, Strider is asked if he wanted to live in Rivendell. He replied that he would like to stay in comfort and safety in Rivendell, but that it is not his destiny. The question that is now raised is: what part does destiny play in the lives of the characters? With that being said, destiny is defined as, the fixed order of things; invincible necessity; fate; a resistless power or agency conceived of as determining the future, whether in general or of an individual, by the Webster’s Dictionary.

            I can see how people may think that destiny plays a role in the lives of the characters, and maybe it does a little, but I have disagree some too. Sure Bilbo could have been “destine” to find the ring, which then was “destine” to make it to Frodo, who was “meant” to realize he had to leave the shire to protect everyone. And sure Sam could have been “destine” to be caught listening to Frodo and Gandalf to be then picked to go on the trip, but there is also a different side to it. This novel is all made up, so, so is the destiny of each character along the way. Everything was meant to happen for a reason like that, because that is how J.J.R. Tolkien set it up.  Destiny does play a role in the lives of the characters, but their destiny was decided in a different way.

            The question was also asked: If literature is an imitation of life, or a mirror image, if you will, then what does that mean about real life?  I believe this means that there is such thing as destiny in real life; it just depends on the situation at hand.

Independent Reading Journal #4

             Mick’s next goal is to make the varsity football team. It may be a long shot for him, considering he is going to be entering school as a freshman.  Mick, however, has the drive and the passion to pull it off. He works harder than anyone on and off the field. Over the summer he gets a call from the varsity coach. He wants him to come out and practice with the team.  He worked really hard at those practices. He eventually makes the team, along with his friend Drew, another freshman. The two of them give it their all, trying to get some playing time. Eventually, they both start, due to an incident with the starters in their positions.

                This is something I found myself relating to quite a bit. When I was a sophomore all I wanted to do was make the varsity lacrosse team. I went to open gyms over the winter to work on my game. A few of my friends, same grade as me, had the same goal in mind. Along with some of my friends, I was on the varsity team my sophomore year. I was happy to be on the team, working with some great players. I eventually worked my way to a starting spot that year. Mick and I had a lot in common when it came to this situation, though he was a freshman. I enjoy when I can flashback to something that occurred in my life while reading a book, and that is exactly what I did here.

Independent Reading Journal #3

              My suspicion of the trophy rooms fourth wall and Mick’s coaches ‘dislike’ for his father has been answered. Mick began to get suspicious of his father’s football career as well. He made the decision to Google his father.  It turns out that Mick’s father didn’t last very long in the NFL.  He had a bad attitude and lacked work ethic. This is when Mick starts to put the puzzle together. His father was never injured; he was just a troubled kid. He lacked discipline. Mick realizes that the fourth wall was never supposed to be for him. The wall was supposed to be for his father’s NFL career. 

                As much as Mick was hurt by his father’s lie, I believe that it only helped him to know the truth.  Mick was starting to act out at practices, just as his father did. He thought he was better than everyone else.  This research on his father is only going to make Mick stronger.  He starts giving 110 percent at practices, and following all the rules. He wanted to work the hardest, and get the farthest. His next goal was to make the varsity football team, and to prove everyone wrong about him, and his father.