Review: Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho
No one person in this world is the same. No one thinks alike. When more than two people think almost the same, they form a group. Because they blend well together. And when a bigger group thinks well together, plus the followers, they form a government. The minority that thinks differently, becomes the opposition. But, I digress.
What I'm trying to say is, when one thinks differently from the majority, one is being assessed, good or bad. And if the difference do not mesh well with the accepted norm, one might be an outkast. Other times, when a person decided to try something new, do something different from the usual, something that the person never attempt before, some people would label the person a wannabe, or lunatic, or just plain stupid. Now, if I've never listen to classical music before, and one I'm intrigued to start listening to it, or just plain crazy suddenly start reading literature, would you say I'm trying to expand my interest or just trying to belong to a certain group of people? The cynicals would definitely go for the latter, it would never cross their minds that I'm after the diversities in life. Again, I digress.
Veronika Decides To Die, is a story of realisation. That there is more to life than just what we're experiencing, and what we are used to. It is just a matter of perception and willingness (bravery, maybe) to explore something new, something foreign, something different. It is a matter of braving the society's response to the difference that we're trying to make. It's a story of being true to yourself, doing what you really want in life, and letting other people live their lives as they see fit. It's a discussion of honesty.
In the story, Veronika had few days left to live. She was told that her heart is failing, and the attacks that she had every now and then, convinced her that she's going to die. Very soon. Due to this, she explored herself, her needs, her wants, her desires, feelings, thoughts, etc. One man, was told to follow his parents wishes, if he loves them as much as he said he does, and forgo his own ambition to become a painter. He didn't become a painter, because he did not want to disappoint the parents. But he also chose to become schizophrenic. He created his own world. But he was still aware of what's happening around him.
A group of people, have a same set of thinking, perception of how the society should behave, of how government should rule, etc. But they discussed their ideas just amongst themselves. Never actually sharing it to the said society, thus failed to make a change. Reason; society will label them crazy because of their radical ideas.
Did I tell you the story took place in a hospital orang gila? Apparently there were crazy people, and there were also sane people in the hospital. Those who were totally insane are just that. But the sane people, they chose to live in seclusion because in there, they can be who they really are. If they live outside, they are considered crazy. So the logic behind here is, since they are considered crazy (because of their ideas) they should stay amongst the lunatics so as to be deem as normal. Huh... What a life.
So, after all that, what do you choose? To be part of the majority, which might not necessarily mean you being yourself, OR be true to yourself, do what you feel best for your life and risk being label "HEAD CASE".
The point is people, we can try living our lives as what other people see fit, we will then impose a set of standard that we deem correct to the next generation (maybe), and in the end everyone is unhappy, because everyone is living other people's life. And the circle of unsettled life keeps on going day after day.
Hah! how's that. It's almost midnight, I might be talking nonsense. Ha ha ha...
I say, my vote will be... MODERATION. Sometimes, we're selfish in thinking we are always right. Come on, don't make that face, you know it's true. We are after all humans, and humans are far from perfect. Thus, we will always have our strengths and weaknesses in everything that we do, think or say. Ergo, learn wasatiah. In moderation, it means. And learn to accept other people's differences, for what is right for us, might not be so right to others and vice versa.
So, live a happy life. And read Veronika Decides to Die.
What I'm trying to say is, when one thinks differently from the majority, one is being assessed, good or bad. And if the difference do not mesh well with the accepted norm, one might be an outkast. Other times, when a person decided to try something new, do something different from the usual, something that the person never attempt before, some people would label the person a wannabe, or lunatic, or just plain stupid. Now, if I've never listen to classical music before, and one I'm intrigued to start listening to it, or just plain crazy suddenly start reading literature, would you say I'm trying to expand my interest or just trying to belong to a certain group of people? The cynicals would definitely go for the latter, it would never cross their minds that I'm after the diversities in life. Again, I digress.
Veronika Decides To Die, is a story of realisation. That there is more to life than just what we're experiencing, and what we are used to. It is just a matter of perception and willingness (bravery, maybe) to explore something new, something foreign, something different. It is a matter of braving the society's response to the difference that we're trying to make. It's a story of being true to yourself, doing what you really want in life, and letting other people live their lives as they see fit. It's a discussion of honesty.
In the story, Veronika had few days left to live. She was told that her heart is failing, and the attacks that she had every now and then, convinced her that she's going to die. Very soon. Due to this, she explored herself, her needs, her wants, her desires, feelings, thoughts, etc. One man, was told to follow his parents wishes, if he loves them as much as he said he does, and forgo his own ambition to become a painter. He didn't become a painter, because he did not want to disappoint the parents. But he also chose to become schizophrenic. He created his own world. But he was still aware of what's happening around him.
A group of people, have a same set of thinking, perception of how the society should behave, of how government should rule, etc. But they discussed their ideas just amongst themselves. Never actually sharing it to the said society, thus failed to make a change. Reason; society will label them crazy because of their radical ideas.
Did I tell you the story took place in a hospital orang gila? Apparently there were crazy people, and there were also sane people in the hospital. Those who were totally insane are just that. But the sane people, they chose to live in seclusion because in there, they can be who they really are. If they live outside, they are considered crazy. So the logic behind here is, since they are considered crazy (because of their ideas) they should stay amongst the lunatics so as to be deem as normal. Huh... What a life.
So, after all that, what do you choose? To be part of the majority, which might not necessarily mean you being yourself, OR be true to yourself, do what you feel best for your life and risk being label "HEAD CASE".
The point is people, we can try living our lives as what other people see fit, we will then impose a set of standard that we deem correct to the next generation (maybe), and in the end everyone is unhappy, because everyone is living other people's life. And the circle of unsettled life keeps on going day after day.
Hah! how's that. It's almost midnight, I might be talking nonsense. Ha ha ha...
I say, my vote will be... MODERATION. Sometimes, we're selfish in thinking we are always right. Come on, don't make that face, you know it's true. We are after all humans, and humans are far from perfect. Thus, we will always have our strengths and weaknesses in everything that we do, think or say. Ergo, learn wasatiah. In moderation, it means. And learn to accept other people's differences, for what is right for us, might not be so right to others and vice versa.
So, live a happy life. And read Veronika Decides to Die.
posted by Hajar | 11:17:00 PM
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