Thomas’s answer to “What did you think the purpose of Em dying was? Was it to teach us or the characters a lesson? If s…” > Likes and Comments
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In that case, what would you say Em and Dex's hamartia is?
Self involvement. But truthfully, the author tells us the point of the book early on in it: “What are you going to do with your life?" In one way or another it seemed that people had been asking her this forever; teachers, her parents, friends at three in the morning, but the question had never seemed this pressing and still she was no nearer an answer... "Live each day as if it's your last', that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical. Better by far to be good and courageous and bold and to make difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.” -- David Nicholls, One Day
Emma and Dex change each other for the better. And when Emma passes he finally realizes us this tragically and his pwn petty little misdemeanor of self indulgence.
Well, Greek tragedies always have the so-called "katharsis" i can't really give it a word in English, but the main idea is that the audience must feel relieved when the story ends. It has nothing to do with "hamartia", as that way of thinking didn't exist back then. Though as my teacher always said "katharsis" may come even in a bad ending but still the audience must feel relieved. I couldn't find the "katharis" here and that rarely happens to me..They surely did changed each other for the better and it seems Dexter changed, so why not giving him a chance? p.s wow i'm impressed you both know about greek tragedies and the word "hamartia" !?!?
Being that this is probably one of my absolute favorite books of all-time, I really enjoy your comments and analysis of this book, Thomas & Vassoula. Very thoughtful, deep, and insightful. Shows you have an understanding of this book and the messages and life lessons the author was trying to convey. Vassoula, the English word for what you are describing is the same in English, only it's spelled with a "C" for Catharsis. Perfect how you stated that. It's probably what makes a less than perfect HEA still perfect. I don't believe romance books always have to have a HEA. I think the "catharsis" here is that he realized all his faults and that Emma did change him for the better. He realized his existence before changing was meaningless. He was lucky to have found her (share the friendship and more with her) even if it was for a short time. Not everyone in life gets the opportunity to experience "true love" like he did. I think it still is a HEA in the end in a sense because he had her and because of her, he is now leading a fulfilling life from what he has learned from her, even if it is not with Emma. Thanks for these comments.
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Phoebe
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Aug 29, 2015 02:34AM
In that case, what would you say Em and Dex's hamartia is?
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Self involvement. But truthfully, the author tells us the point of the book early on in it: “What are you going to do with your life?" In one way or another it seemed that people had been asking her this forever; teachers, her parents, friends at three in the morning, but the question had never seemed this pressing and still she was no nearer an answer... "Live each day as if it's your last', that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical. Better by far to be good and courageous and bold and to make difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.” -- David Nicholls, One Day
Emma and Dex change each other for the better. And when Emma passes he finally realizes us this tragically and his pwn petty little misdemeanor of self indulgence.
Well, Greek tragedies always have the so-called "katharsis" i can't really give it a word in English, but the main idea is that the audience must feel relieved when the story ends. It has nothing to do with "hamartia", as that way of thinking didn't exist back then. Though as my teacher always said "katharsis" may come even in a bad ending but still the audience must feel relieved. I couldn't find the "katharis" here and that rarely happens to me..They surely did changed each other for the better and it seems Dexter changed, so why not giving him a chance? p.s wow i'm impressed you both know about greek tragedies and the word "hamartia" !?!?
Being that this is probably one of my absolute favorite books of all-time, I really enjoy your comments and analysis of this book, Thomas & Vassoula. Very thoughtful, deep, and insightful. Shows you have an understanding of this book and the messages and life lessons the author was trying to convey. Vassoula, the English word for what you are describing is the same in English, only it's spelled with a "C" for Catharsis. Perfect how you stated that. It's probably what makes a less than perfect HEA still perfect. I don't believe romance books always have to have a HEA. I think the "catharsis" here is that he realized all his faults and that Emma did change him for the better. He realized his existence before changing was meaningless. He was lucky to have found her (share the friendship and more with her) even if it was for a short time. Not everyone in life gets the opportunity to experience "true love" like he did. I think it still is a HEA in the end in a sense because he had her and because of her, he is now leading a fulfilling life from what he has learned from her, even if it is not with Emma. Thanks for these comments.
