Thursday, June 17, 2010
Just say those two little words "Pathetic Fallacy" and I'll know we're kindred spirits
Pathetic Fallacy is my favorite literary device. It's romantic. The universe echoes the wrenching emotions of the heart - if you're in love, lively, and the world is yours; then the universe rewards you with chipper birds, flowers, and spring like weather. If you are in the depths of despair (as Anne Shirley would say), then flowers die; the clouds hang low and heavy in the sky; and a steady weeping rain begins. It's pure catharsis.
Pathetic fallacy also gives everything a voice. A paper cut can shriek out in pain. A piece of paper can be abandoned on the floor. A sunflower can smile warmly at the sun. It's just beautiful.
Life doesn't really work that way though. Some of the most beautiful days were right after Shana died. It seemed mocking and cruel. Elisa said if it were literature, the thematic element we would discuss would be nature's indifference to man. And she could not have been more right.
A friend of mine recently experienced a topsy turvy life experience of her own. The weather was not cooperation, and so we created artificial catharsis - chocolate cupcakes, cheese enchiladas, chips...all those wonderful and extremely sympathetic "c" foods; comfort foods. And though it is ill-advised to eat your feelings on a regular basis - I think it helps just to get through the shock - to indulge in the goodness of life.
Over all of the "c" foods we also had some good conversations. About life, love, boundaries, letting go... It made me consider what ghosts of my past that I've been unable to turn loose. And so I leave refreshed with resolves to leave my ghosts where they belong, to move forward, to let go of the fears that might hinder me, and to move on - ready for what lies ahead. Maybe I was supposed to be helping her, but she may have helped me more. So thank you friend, thank you catharsis, and thank you comfort foods!
Pathetic fallacy also gives everything a voice. A paper cut can shriek out in pain. A piece of paper can be abandoned on the floor. A sunflower can smile warmly at the sun. It's just beautiful.
Life doesn't really work that way though. Some of the most beautiful days were right after Shana died. It seemed mocking and cruel. Elisa said if it were literature, the thematic element we would discuss would be nature's indifference to man. And she could not have been more right.
A friend of mine recently experienced a topsy turvy life experience of her own. The weather was not cooperation, and so we created artificial catharsis - chocolate cupcakes, cheese enchiladas, chips...all those wonderful and extremely sympathetic "c" foods; comfort foods. And though it is ill-advised to eat your feelings on a regular basis - I think it helps just to get through the shock - to indulge in the goodness of life.
Over all of the "c" foods we also had some good conversations. About life, love, boundaries, letting go... It made me consider what ghosts of my past that I've been unable to turn loose. And so I leave refreshed with resolves to leave my ghosts where they belong, to move forward, to let go of the fears that might hinder me, and to move on - ready for what lies ahead. Maybe I was supposed to be helping her, but she may have helped me more. So thank you friend, thank you catharsis, and thank you comfort foods!
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