PERFORMANCE

ST
TASK IN 21
CENTURY
LITERATURE

Submitted by: Charmaine Rose G. Angeles 12 - Ingenuity

Submitted to: Ms. Pauline Pasacay 3/16/2019
Beauty in Loneliness

Loneliness is a complex feeling and there are different types of it. It can affect everyone
in different ways and it can hit us anywhere. You can feel it even if you are in a crowd, when
you don’t feel the connection with the people you surround yourself with. Because it makes you
feel isolated. You can also feeI loneliness, when you’re in a new situation or when you feel
different. Loneliness is an unpleasant feeling, an obstacle that we should overcome. Because
even if we feel that we are happy with our status of life, we could still feel loneliness. It puts us
to a test on how strong our relationship with our social circle and having a strong relationship is
the key to a happy life.
In accordance as to what my friend told me, “Loneliness is like a slap of reality that
makes people realize the worth of socialising and relationships. It reminds us how the presence
of another being is important and why we should always do our best to keep a good relationship
with them.” It is like an indication that we are longing for something, either for the affection of a
special someone or we just want to fill the gap of emptiness that we feel. Even if loneliness is a
repulsive feeling, it is important in our lives. Because without it, we won’t know the beauty of
feeling complete and the feeling of belonginess. As what Henry Rollins said, “Loneliness adds
beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes night air smell better.”
My friend also told me that “it is important to feel loneliness sometimes, Because you
will realize some things better when you’re alone.” I agree with her, because when you’re alone
you can internalized and see things clearly without any interference or mixed views from others.
Loneliness can be a negative or a positive thing, depending on how the person will perceive it
and how they’ll handle it. As what Bruce Lee said, “Loneliness is an opportunity to cut adrift and
find yourself. In solitude you are least alone.” Despite being a repulsive feeling, one can’t deny
the importance of loneliness. Because loneliness can also make us realized the importance of
something and it can be an opportunity to change something.
A proverb says, “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its
joy.” (Proverbs 14:10) We are fundamentally separated from each other, even if we can
understand each other to a certain extent, we can still feel that separation. Loneliness can be an
obstacle for us. But we can overcome loneliness through God, because we were made to have a
relationship with God. When the feeling of loneliness starts, we should turn to God and pray for
him to strengthen us. Instead of continuing isolating ourselves, we should try to connect to our
love ones and ask for help when we need one. Because it’s okay to be not okay, and it’s okay to
ask for help.
Memoir

The 21st century literature became one of my favorite subject. Because I love reading and
learning about literature. Learning about the different literary pieces inspires me for my creative
writing. It also made think of philosophical question, regarding the topics that we tackle. It
teaches me life lessons that I can apply in my life, that inspires me to do good in life. The lines
and ideas that struck me the most throughout in our 21st century literature endeavors are from the
literary pieces: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, The Myth of Sisyphus by Homer,
Dark Glasses by Roland Barthes and lastly Ithaca by Constantine Cavafy.
In The Velveteen Rabbit we tackle the idea of vulnerability and authenticity. In which is
vulnerability is letting ourselves be seen for who we are, while authenticity is letting go of who
you should be in order to be who you are. I had an epiphany that vulnerability is not all about
being weak, but instead being open that makes you real. One line that made a mark on me is that
“Love makes you real”. It is the answer of the skin horse when the rabbit asked him “What is
real?”. Love makes you real, because when you love someone you want to become open to who
you are. Human beings are like mirrors. When we’re not reciprocated, it hurts. That’s why
sometimes realness hurts.
In the Myth of Sisyphus, I learned the idea of the absurdity of life. In which the
realization of meaningless and absurdity doesn’t necessarily require suicide. Because suicide is
never the answer. What stuck me the most is the idea of the most important thing is to learn
most. Because “What counts is not the best living, but the most living.” Life is about fulfilment
that can make you happy, so you won’t regret anything in your life. I also learned the three ways
to escape absurdity, which is revolt, freedom, and passion. Revolt to the ideas of the norms in the
society, so you can gain your freedom and enjoy the passion of life.
In the Dark Glasses, I learned that love is hard to show and is often hidden. In which can
be a self-induced misery. It becomes a self-induced misery, because love is not seen. I learned
that Love is depicted as something like “I want to show you that I am hiding something.” We
should not conceal our passion, because love is meant to be shown and expressed.
In Ithaca, the verse that struck me the most is that “Arriving there is what you’re destined
for” in which I interpreted as the journey towards heaven. Wherein you should venture with the
purpose of arriving in heaven. I think the poem is about life and that made me realize what I
should do with my life.
The endeavors throughout the 21st century literature made me become a better person and
I gained wisdom because of our discussion. I will keep in mind the lessons that I’ve learned and
treasure all of it. This subject made me realized the importance of literature in our lives. I will try
to apply in my life, all the life lessons that I’ve obtained from the literary pieces that we tackled.
I learned the most, because the teacher is an excellent educator.