If you could go into the future and see where all you choices could lead you before you did them, would you? If you could know the outcome of something before you even did it, would you want to know that? Maybe you would maybe you wouldn’t. Emmeline, in the book, The Moon and More by Sara Dessen, faces many hard choices. The most important one, what she will do in the future. Emmeline lives in the small town of Colby, so does everyone else. No one really leaves, and no one really stays for long. Emmeline is stuck in a mental tug-of-war. She doesn't know if she wants to stay in Colby for the rest of her life, or does she want to leave and never look back. There are plenty of compelling pros and cons on both sides telling her to stay and telling her to go. So, put yourself in Emmelines shoes, should you follow everyone else in her tiny town, or should you take an adventure and leave everything you’ve ever known behind. The angel and the devil both are dragging Emmeline down, but who to side with?
If you were asked to leave the place you grew up and leave to go to a new and scary place for the next few years of your life. Would you be heartbroken or ready for an adventure? There is an equal share of bumps along the long, and winding road leading you to you future. One positive thing that comes from staying in Colby is that Emmeline can stay close to her family and close friends. In the book it says, “ These are my best friends. From preschool all the way up to here, we have had each-other’s backs. What would happen when they aren’t there to catch me when I fall? ” This quote shows the reader that Emmeline has so many memories of her friends. It will be devastating to leave all the close people in her life. All these people Emmeline cares so much about. It will be difficult for Emmeline, and even harder for her friends. How will they cope and survive with her away in College? On the other hand, with a handful of close friends comes a handful of people that you are so ready to leave behind. In the book, is states, “ ‘ Ugh. I know her.’ I didn't’ even have to scan the high school yearbook, I already knew that devil by heart. ” This quote displays how close Emmeline is with everyone in her town. When there are the same exact kids with you from elementary to high school, you're going to know everything about everyone. These are things both good and bad. Of course, everyone wants to stay close to their friends, but you also wouldn’t mind leaving behind those annoying people that you would love to just never see again. I’m not quite sure which is more desirable, roommates with your bestfriends, or never seeing your enemies again.
On the contrary, who doesn’t have the dream of living in the big city. Going to a big school with so many new people. After living her whole life in a cramped town with the same people, leaving everything all behind doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. To prove this point, the book explains, “ ‘How can you still be stilling living in this tiny town?’ I just shook my head. ‘I would have gone mad in no time. I need the big city. I need people. I need a busy lifestyle.’ I nodded imagining every word and treasuring each thought. ” this quote shows the reader that not only does the pure image of living in a big city give Emmeline chills, but also it scares her that it could be a reality. Let me ask you a question. If you have the choice of staying in a small town doing the same things for your entire life or living in a big city with new things every day… what would you choose? Emmeline feels trapped. She wants to live two totally different ways. She is trying to combine two different ways of going about her future. Except she is attempting to complete the impossible. Emmeline is torn between two opposite paths. She is stuck, trying over and over to combine two things that just were meant to be separate. Emmeline can’t decide what she really wants from her future. Will she ever figure it out which path is right for her. It is hidden deep down in her heart, but it will take a lot to get it unleashed.
To sum up, Emmeline is running in circles trying to decide on what is right for her. She is revisiting every pro and con she can possibly think of. But what Emmeline can't see it that any number of pros and cons isn’t going to magically decide what college is right for you. You need to truly want it. It takes all of the strength inside someone to figure this out. As I asked in the beginning, if you could see your mistakes before you made them, would you? This is really a trick question. You make no mistakes. Mistakes are just lessons being taught to you so you can use them later in life. Emmeline needs to notice that whatever she does, good or bad, it will only be a step closer to figuring out what she legitimately wants in her future. But for now, Emmeline is stuck trying to understand how life is a castle, you must fight the dragon before you rescue the princess.
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