It’s astonishing to think that I
have been alive for 16 years, and I know that may not sound like a lot, but to
me, it shows me how long I’ve had a chance to foster a change in society, but
haven’t. What have I done that has impacted anyone in these past 16 years?
Complain to my teachers about grades? Criticizing my parents about how they're
being unreasonable? Yelling at my sisters because they are being obnoxious?
None of these actions have created a difference in any way, and it’s sad to
think that I have had a full 16 years to do so.
In “Maus,” Art Spiegelman lists several
important dates, including how “Vladek died of congestive heart failure on
August 18, 1982,” and how he and his wife were “expecting a baby between May
16, 1944 and May 24, 1944” (Spiegelman 41). He lists several dates as if they
happened one after another, but they actually are 62 years apart. He fails to
mention anything else that happened in his life during these years, besides of
course, writing his book.
I get to school, learn stuff, come home, watch Netflix, eat, do
homework until midnight, go to bed, wake up, then repeat. I have done this for
16 years, and I know most of you reading this can relate. Is this what we plan
on doing until we get a job and receive a new daily schedule?
I certainly hope not.
I feel as if these “time flies” are
constantly surrounding me, just as they did to Vladek, screaming in my ears of
how they will never stop bothering me. They are eating my time away, as if
faster and faster each day.
We need to stop pedaling on our
stationary bike and start going outside to ride our real ones. The stationary
bikes aren’t going to take us anywhere in life, hence the name. We have to have
the courage to get off and start fresh.
We need to start doing more with
our lives, and I’m not saying to stop caring about school or grades, because
trust me, that is definitely not going to happen in my case either. I’m trying
to say that little steps can help make this world a better place. For instance,
start recycling your water bottles, when you chew gum actually throw it into the
trash, do community service, etc. These small actions will soon produce a substantial change,
so the next time I see those pesky “time flies,” I will be able to shove it into their faces, because I’m living the best life I can, for both me and the world.
Wow Izzy this was such a nice blog to read and it was very relatable since I definitely have not done anything significant enough to change society. The way you kept referring to "Maus" was very good and your references went well with what you said. I also love your optimistic ending!
ReplyDeleteThis was really nice and inspirational! I liked how you took a different take on how time flies and even added great style into your writing. It was really fun to read. I also liked how you incorporated Maus and the synthesis paper prompt together.
ReplyDeleteLike Sophia said, this was a super inspirational blog! I loved how you incorporated your own experiences seamlessly into the idea of time flies, and how you were able to spin the symbolism into a positive message. I never even noticed the large difference in time, both in the book and in my own life. Great job inspiring us all Iz:)
ReplyDeleteThis was very inspiring Izzy! The way you were able to connect "Maus" to changing our daily lives was amazing! I loved how you were able to connect your experiences to those of Art and Vladeck. The connections you made were very interesting and have a very strong message! This really makes me think about the daily choices I am making, and that maybe there are better ways that I could spend my free time.
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